CEN respiratory questions and answers with solutions 2025

Which respiratory emergency presents with fever, cough, pleuritic chest pain, and crackles that do not clear with coughing? Asthma, pulmonary edema, chronic bronchitis OR Pneumonia - ANSWER Pneumonia Pneumonia presents with fever, cough, pleuritic chest pain, and lung sounds (such as crackles) that do not usually clear with coughing.. Which respiratory emergency causes permanent abnormal enlargement of the air spaces? Asthma, pulmonary edema, emphysema, pulmonary embolus - ANSWER Emphysema Patients with emphysema have a permanent, abnormal enlargement of air spaces. Asthma, pulmonary edema, and pulmonary embolus do not result in permanent alveolar changes. A woman, age 53, presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath. Which other finding should make you suspect that pulmonary embolism is the cause? Tachypnea, productive cough, calf pain, pleuritic chest pain - ANSWER Calf pain for the past week Most pulmonary emboli originate in the deep veins of the legs, which could cause prolonged calf pain. Tachypnea, productive cough, and pleuritic chest pain are common, nonspecific signs and symptoms of many respiratory conditions. A man, age 72, presents to the emergency department with respiratory distress. He arrived with portable oxygen from home and is now sitting in a tripod position. Your assessment reveals a barrel chest. Which respiratory condition should you suspect? Pulmonary embolism, asthma, emphysema, acute bronchitis - ANSWER Emphysema Barrel chest, home oxygen therapy, and the use of the tripod position are classic presentations in a patient with emphysema. Pulmonary embolism, asthma, and acute bronchitis are not associated with these findings.