Respiratory Med Surg Exam Review Questions with Correct Answers

The nurse explains that the purpose of mucus is to: a. warm the air entering the lungs. b. trap particles and bacteria. c. protect the cilia. d. clean the sinus cavity. Correct Answer B Mucus traps particles and bacteria that may be in the inspired air. A patient with emphysema presents to the emergency room with severe dyspnea; O2 saturation is 74%, pulse is 120, and respirations are 26 . The nurse positions the patient in high Fowler. What action should the nurse take next? a. Collect a sputum specimen. b. Coach the patient in pursed-lip breathing. c. Give oxygen at 5 L/min by nasal cannula. d. Ensure patent intravenous (IV) access. Correct Answer B Coaching in pursed-lip breathing will open the respiratory tree with negative pressure. Oxygen given at such a high concentration will cause an emphysemic patient to stop breathing. Collecting a sputum specimen and ensuring patent IV access are appropriate interventions that should be performed after the patient's dyspnea is addressed. The nurse explains that the mechanism that triggers rate and depth of respiration is based on which factor? a. Ease of respiration. b. Alveolar pressure. c. Patency of bronchi. d. Blood pH. Correct Answer D Chemoreceptors in the brainstem and carotid arteries measure hydrogen concentration, as well as CO2 and O2, to trigger respiration rate to correct the excessive CO2. When creating a visual aid to show the mechanics of inhaling, the nurse correctly illustrates which scenario? a. The diaphragm moves downward. b. The negative pressure of the lung converts to positive pressure. c. The muscles contract and pull the rib cage downward. d. The bronchi enlarge. Correct Answer A On inspiration, the diaphragm moves down, increasing the area of negative pressure, muscles pull the rib cage up, and the positive-pressure room air flows into the negative-pressure lungs. The nurse explains that the substance that decreases the surface tension of the alveolar walls is: a. plasma. b. surfactant. c. cilia. d. mucus. Correct Answer B Surfactant is the substance that reduces the surface tension of the walls of the alveoli, making gas exchange more effective. Most of the inspired oxygen is carried to the tissues via which component of the body? a. Plasma b. Lymphatic system c. Red blood cells d. White blood cells Correct Answer C The red blood cells carry 97% of the oxygen to the cells, attached to hemoglobin. The nurse is caring for a patient with an obstructive respiratory disorder. Which of these conditions is an example of an obstructive lung disorder? a. Atelectasis b. Lung cancer c. Guillain-Barré syndrome d. Chronic bronchitis Correct Answer D Obstructive lung disease is related to the reduced ability to move air in and out of the lungs. Asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis are classified as obstructive disorders. Atelectasis, lung cancer, and Guillain-Barré syndrome are restrictive disorders. When reviewing risk factors, the nurse correctly identifies which patient as having the greatest risk of throat cancer? a. The patient who drinks 4 cups of coffee per day. b. The patient who smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per week. c. The patient who drinks several carbonated drinks per day. d. The patient who drinks 4 vodka tonics per day. Correct Answer D The combination of alcohol and cigarettes increases the risk for throat cancer. However, the patient consuming 4 vodka drinks per day is at a higher risk than the patient smoking 1 pack of cigarettes per week. Coffee and carbonated drink consumption has not been found to increase the risk of throat cancer. The nurse is preparing to administer the influenza immunization to four patients. Allergy to which substance should cause the nurse to question giving the immunization?