RESPIRATORY EXAM #1 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
A patient asks the nurse why he doesn't feel sick even though his TB test is positive.
The nurse knows the patient has been diagnosed with LTBI. Which explanation is best
to provide the patient?
a. "TB often does not make people feel sick, but is is contagious nevertheless."
b. "You have latent disease, which just stays in your system but won't ever make you
sick."
c. "You have TB infection, but not active disease. As long as your immune system stays
strong, it can keep the infection from making you sick."
d. "Even though you do not feel sick, the positive test shows that you have the disease
and must be treated." - Answer-c. LTBI is a latent, not active, infection.
Which of the following assessment findings does the nurse expect in the patient with
emphysema?
a. Purulent sputum
b. Diminished breath sounds
c. Generalized edema
d. Dull chest pain - Answer-b. Damaged alveoli and air trapping cause diminished
breath sounds.
A patient with shortness of breath is being tested for lung cancer. Which diagnostic test
will be most conclusive?
a. Chest x-ray
b. MRI
c. Sputum culture
d. Biopsy - Answer-d. Biopsy is always the most definitive test for cancer.
A patient with recurrent pneumothorax is scheduled to have pleurodesis done in one
hour. Which nursing intervention should take priority at this time?
a. Encourage fluids
b. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
c. Administer a prn analgesic as ordered.
d. Administer a prn bronchodilator as ordered. - Answer-c. Pleurodesis is painful; a pain
medication should be administered.
Which of the following assessment findings in the patient with pneumonia most
indicates a need to remind the patient to cough and deep breathe?
, a. The patient reports chest pain.
b. The patient has removed her oxygen.
c. The patient develops coarse wheezes and crackles.
d. The patient has a fever of 101 F (38.3 C) - Answer-c. Wheezes and crackles can
signify sputum that needs to be coughed up
A patient is admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath. The nurse notes
increasing confusion and combativeness during the past hour. Which of the following
actions is appropriate first?
a. Assess the patient; check to see if the oxygen is flowing correctly.
b. Page the physician stat.
c. Put up the patient's side rails and apply soft restrainst.
d. Administer an intramuscular sedative. - Answer-a. Hypoxia can cause confusion and
agitation.
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for the patient with an
ineffective breathing pattern?
a. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe.
b. Teach the patient controlled diaphragmatic breathing.
c. Encourage oral fluids
d. Allow the patient to rest between activities. - Answer-b. Diaphragmatic breathing can
help make the breathing pattern more effective.
A patient with end-stage COPD has a nursing diagnosis of 'Impaired Gas Exchange'.
Which assessment finding shows that interventions have been effective?
a. The patient's SpO2 is 97% on 2 liters of oxygen.
b. The patient appears comfortable.
c. The patient is coughing up copious white sputum.
d. The patient is able to move in bed without difficulty. - Answer-a. SpO2 is the best
measure of gas exchange.
The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from surgery for a broken femur. Which of
the following assessment findings would be most concerning to the nurse?
1. Severe pain in the affected limb
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Sudden onset of dyspnea.
4. Temperature of 101.4 F - Answer-3. Sudden onset of dyspnea.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has signed a Do Not Resuscitate document but is
becoming increasingly anxious about pain and suffering in the last hours of life. The
patient is alert and oriented. What would be an appropriate response from the nurse?
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
A patient asks the nurse why he doesn't feel sick even though his TB test is positive.
The nurse knows the patient has been diagnosed with LTBI. Which explanation is best
to provide the patient?
a. "TB often does not make people feel sick, but is is contagious nevertheless."
b. "You have latent disease, which just stays in your system but won't ever make you
sick."
c. "You have TB infection, but not active disease. As long as your immune system stays
strong, it can keep the infection from making you sick."
d. "Even though you do not feel sick, the positive test shows that you have the disease
and must be treated." - Answer-c. LTBI is a latent, not active, infection.
Which of the following assessment findings does the nurse expect in the patient with
emphysema?
a. Purulent sputum
b. Diminished breath sounds
c. Generalized edema
d. Dull chest pain - Answer-b. Damaged alveoli and air trapping cause diminished
breath sounds.
A patient with shortness of breath is being tested for lung cancer. Which diagnostic test
will be most conclusive?
a. Chest x-ray
b. MRI
c. Sputum culture
d. Biopsy - Answer-d. Biopsy is always the most definitive test for cancer.
A patient with recurrent pneumothorax is scheduled to have pleurodesis done in one
hour. Which nursing intervention should take priority at this time?
a. Encourage fluids
b. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
c. Administer a prn analgesic as ordered.
d. Administer a prn bronchodilator as ordered. - Answer-c. Pleurodesis is painful; a pain
medication should be administered.
Which of the following assessment findings in the patient with pneumonia most
indicates a need to remind the patient to cough and deep breathe?
, a. The patient reports chest pain.
b. The patient has removed her oxygen.
c. The patient develops coarse wheezes and crackles.
d. The patient has a fever of 101 F (38.3 C) - Answer-c. Wheezes and crackles can
signify sputum that needs to be coughed up
A patient is admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath. The nurse notes
increasing confusion and combativeness during the past hour. Which of the following
actions is appropriate first?
a. Assess the patient; check to see if the oxygen is flowing correctly.
b. Page the physician stat.
c. Put up the patient's side rails and apply soft restrainst.
d. Administer an intramuscular sedative. - Answer-a. Hypoxia can cause confusion and
agitation.
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for the patient with an
ineffective breathing pattern?
a. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe.
b. Teach the patient controlled diaphragmatic breathing.
c. Encourage oral fluids
d. Allow the patient to rest between activities. - Answer-b. Diaphragmatic breathing can
help make the breathing pattern more effective.
A patient with end-stage COPD has a nursing diagnosis of 'Impaired Gas Exchange'.
Which assessment finding shows that interventions have been effective?
a. The patient's SpO2 is 97% on 2 liters of oxygen.
b. The patient appears comfortable.
c. The patient is coughing up copious white sputum.
d. The patient is able to move in bed without difficulty. - Answer-a. SpO2 is the best
measure of gas exchange.
The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from surgery for a broken femur. Which of
the following assessment findings would be most concerning to the nurse?
1. Severe pain in the affected limb
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Sudden onset of dyspnea.
4. Temperature of 101.4 F - Answer-3. Sudden onset of dyspnea.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has signed a Do Not Resuscitate document but is
becoming increasingly anxious about pain and suffering in the last hours of life. The
patient is alert and oriented. What would be an appropriate response from the nurse?
