For air to enter the lungs (process of ventilation), the intrapulmonary pressure must be less than
atmospheric pressure so the air can be pulled inward. Select the movement of respiratory muscles that
makes this happen during inspiration. - ANSWER:Diaphragm contracts and elongates the chest cavity
The nurse is caring for a client with an exacerbation of COPD and scheduled for pulmonary function
studies using a spirometer. Which client statement would the nurse clarify? - ANSWER:"I will breathe in
through my mouth and out through my nose."
A Black client with asthma seeks emergency care for acute respiratory distress. Because of this client's
dark skin, the nurse should assess for cyanosis by inspecting the: - ANSWER:Mucous Membranes
High or increased compliance occurs in which disease process? - ANSWER:Emphysema
A patient visited a health care clinic for treatment of upper respiratory tract congestion, fatigue, and
sputum production that was rust-colored. Which of the following diagnoses is likely based on this history
and inspection of the sputum? - ANSWER:An infection with pneumococcal pneumonia
The nurse auscultated a patient's middle lobe of the lungs for abnormal breath sounds. To do this, the
nurse placed the stethoscope on the: - ANSWER:Anterior surface of the right side of the chest, between
the fourth and fifth rib.
The nurse knows that what condition is associated with increased compliance of the lungs? -
ANSWER:Emphysema
The nurse is caring for a client with a decrease in airway diameter causing airway resistance. The client
experiences coughing and mucus production. Upon lung assessment, which adventitious breath sounds
are anticipated? - ANSWER:Sibilant Wheezes
The nurse is reviewing the blood gas results for a patient with pneumonia. What arterial blood gas
measurement best reflects the adequacy of alveolar ventilation? - ANSWER:PaCO2
A patient exhibited signs of an altered ventilation-perfusion ration. The nurse is aware that adequate
ventilation but impaired perfusion exists when the patient has which of the following conditions? -
ANSWER:Pulmonary Embolism
A client is seen in the emergency room for a case of diabetic acidosis with the presence of Kussmaul
respiration's. What client condition is associated with the presence of Kussmaul respiration's? -
ANSWER:Hyperventilation
The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client who reports hemoptysis for the past 2 months. The
client reports occasional dyspnea. Which imaging study, ordered by the physician, will view the thoracic
cavity while in movement? - ANSWER:Fluoroscopy
A client arrives in the emergency department reporting shortness of breath. She has 3+ pitting edema
below the knees, a respiratory rate of 36 breaths per minute, and heaving respirations. The nurse
, auscultates the client's lungs to reveal coarse, moist, high-pitched, and non-continuous sounds that do
not clear with coughing. The nurse will document these sounds as which type? - ANSWER:Crackles
A client is described as having pectus carinatum. What would be the physical manifestation of this
condition? - ANSWER:The sternum protrudes and the ribs are sloped backwards.
The nurse documents breath sounds that are soft, with inspiratory sounds longer than expiratory and
found over the periphery of the lungs. Which of the following will the nurse chart? - ANSWER:Vesicular
A young adult visited a clinic because he was injured during a softball game. He told the nurse that the
ball struck him in his "Adams Apple." To assess the initial impact of injury, the nurse: - ANSWER:Palpates
the thyroid cartilage
The nurse is studying for a physiology test over the respiratory system. Which should the nurse know
about central chemoreceptors in the medulla? - ANSWER:They respond to changes in CO2 levels and
hydrogen ion concentrations (pH) in the cerebrospinal fluid
The nurse is caring for a client in the immediate post-thoracentesis period. In which position is the client
placed? - ANSWER:Lying on the unaffected side
A student nurse is working with a client who is diagnosed with head trauma. The nurse has documented
Cheyne-Stokes respirations. The student would expect to see which of the following? - ANSWER:Regular
breathing where the rate and depth increase, then decrease
You are assessing the respiratory system of a client just admitted to your unit. What do you know to
assess in addition to the physical and functional issues related to breathing? - ANSWER:How these issues
affect the client's quality of life
Which diagnostic imaging modality is more accurate than computed tomography in detecting
malignancies? - ANSWER:PET
A client presents to the ED reporting severe coughing episodes. The client states that "the episodes are
more intense at night." The nurse should suspect which of the following conditions based on the client's
primary report? - ANSWER:Left-Sided Heart Failure
The nurse is caring for a client reporting chest discomfort. The client's diagnosis at admission is left lower
lobe pneumonia. Which strategy will the nurse instruct the client to use to help alleviate the discomfort?
- ANSWER:Assume a left side-lying position while in bed
A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a client with pneumonia. She asks the client to say
"ninety-nine" several times. Through her stethoscope, she hears the words clearly over his left lower
lobe. What term should the nurse use to document this finding? - ANSWER:Bronchophony
Which is an age-related change associated with the respiratory system? - ANSWER:Decreased size of the
airway
A client with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is scheduled for a
thoracentesis. Which nursing intervention would be appropriate for client safety? -
ANSWER:Administering a cough suppressant as needed