CEN RESPIRATORY QUESTIONS
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 - ANS-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.
A mother runs into the emergency department with an unresponsive child. As you begin the
assessment, you learn that the child aspirated a walnut. Which intervention should you perform
first?
apply cervical collar, perform heimlich, start IV, airway assessment - ANS-Assess the airway.
The assessment of a patient begins with an evaluation of the airway, breathing, and circulation
(ABCs).
The application of a cervical collar occurs after airway assessment.
Performing maneuvers to dislodge the object, such as the Heimlich maneuver, would occur after
the assessment of the airway.
Starting an intravenous line may occur later.
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 - ANS-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.
ausculation of breath sounds reveals diminished breath sounds and expiratory wheezes. -
ANS-patient with emphysema
ausculation of breath sounds reveals wheezes - ANS-acute bronchitis or asthma
ausculation of breath sounds that are low pitched and soft, heard over peripheral lung fields are
- ANS-Vesicular breath sounds
auscultation of breath sounds reveals consolidation and crackles that do not clear with coughing
- ANS-patient with pneumonia
breath sounds auscultated over the trachea - ANS-Bronchial sounds are high pitched and loud
, Bronchial sounds are normal when heard over the - ANS-trachea
Bronchial, bronchovesicular, and vesicular sounds are - ANS-normal when heard over selected
areas.
Bronchovesicular sounds are normally heard - ANS-anteriorly over the first and second
intercostal space at the sternal border and posteriorly from the fourth thoracic intercostal space
to the scapulae.
cardiovascular signs S3 and S4 heart sounds suggest: - ANS-generalized fluid overload
pulmonary edema, a
These findings include:
S3 and S4 heart sounds; a rapid and bounding pulse that becomes weak and thready if
untreated; increased blood pressure initially followed by decreased blood pressure as the
condition worsens; heart failure with distended jugular veins; cool, pale, and moist skin that may
appear cyanotic or mottled; weight gain; lower extremity pitting edema; and sacral edema when
the patient is seated with his or her legs not in a dependent position.
Cherry red skin and seizures are signs of - ANS-severe carbon monoxide poisoning
correctly describe cellular oxygenation? - ANS-Oxygen dissociation is affected by temperature,
acid-base balance, and carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) level.
define diffusion - ANS-Diffusion occurs when particles in fluid move from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration.
define perfusion - ANS-the transport of blood to the tissues
define respirations - ANS-the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the cellular level.
For a patient who presents with a severe exacerbation of asthma, administration of which agent
is the priority?
Prednisone (Deltasone) albuterol Magnesium sulfate Theophylline (Theolair) - ANS-Albuterol
(Ventolin)
The bronchodilator albuterol (Ventolin) is used to relieve airflow obstruction, as in a severe
exacerbation of asthma.
Prednisone (Deltasone) or intravenous steroids are commonly administered to decrease airway
inflammation.
Magnesium sulfate may be administered to a patient with moderate to severe exacerbations
who has not adequately responded to nebulized bronchodilators.
Theophylline (Theolair) is a smooth muscle dilator. Its adverse effects and narrow therapeutic
range have limited its use recently because newer, safer drugs have become available.
For a patient with a large pneumothorax, findings include - ANS-1. subcutaneous emphysema,
2. cyanosis, 3. hypotension, and
4. severe dyspnea.
generalized fluid overload pulmonary edema finding include: - ANS-S3 and S4 heart sounds;
a rapid and bounding pulse that becomes weak and thready if untreated;
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 - ANS-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.
A mother runs into the emergency department with an unresponsive child. As you begin the
assessment, you learn that the child aspirated a walnut. Which intervention should you perform
first?
apply cervical collar, perform heimlich, start IV, airway assessment - ANS-Assess the airway.
The assessment of a patient begins with an evaluation of the airway, breathing, and circulation
(ABCs).
The application of a cervical collar occurs after airway assessment.
Performing maneuvers to dislodge the object, such as the Heimlich maneuver, would occur after
the assessment of the airway.
Starting an intravenous line may occur later.
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 - ANS-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.
ausculation of breath sounds reveals diminished breath sounds and expiratory wheezes. -
ANS-patient with emphysema
ausculation of breath sounds reveals wheezes - ANS-acute bronchitis or asthma
ausculation of breath sounds that are low pitched and soft, heard over peripheral lung fields are
- ANS-Vesicular breath sounds
auscultation of breath sounds reveals consolidation and crackles that do not clear with coughing
- ANS-patient with pneumonia
breath sounds auscultated over the trachea - ANS-Bronchial sounds are high pitched and loud
, Bronchial sounds are normal when heard over the - ANS-trachea
Bronchial, bronchovesicular, and vesicular sounds are - ANS-normal when heard over selected
areas.
Bronchovesicular sounds are normally heard - ANS-anteriorly over the first and second
intercostal space at the sternal border and posteriorly from the fourth thoracic intercostal space
to the scapulae.
cardiovascular signs S3 and S4 heart sounds suggest: - ANS-generalized fluid overload
pulmonary edema, a
These findings include:
S3 and S4 heart sounds; a rapid and bounding pulse that becomes weak and thready if
untreated; increased blood pressure initially followed by decreased blood pressure as the
condition worsens; heart failure with distended jugular veins; cool, pale, and moist skin that may
appear cyanotic or mottled; weight gain; lower extremity pitting edema; and sacral edema when
the patient is seated with his or her legs not in a dependent position.
Cherry red skin and seizures are signs of - ANS-severe carbon monoxide poisoning
correctly describe cellular oxygenation? - ANS-Oxygen dissociation is affected by temperature,
acid-base balance, and carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) level.
define diffusion - ANS-Diffusion occurs when particles in fluid move from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration.
define perfusion - ANS-the transport of blood to the tissues
define respirations - ANS-the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the cellular level.
For a patient who presents with a severe exacerbation of asthma, administration of which agent
is the priority?
Prednisone (Deltasone) albuterol Magnesium sulfate Theophylline (Theolair) - ANS-Albuterol
(Ventolin)
The bronchodilator albuterol (Ventolin) is used to relieve airflow obstruction, as in a severe
exacerbation of asthma.
Prednisone (Deltasone) or intravenous steroids are commonly administered to decrease airway
inflammation.
Magnesium sulfate may be administered to a patient with moderate to severe exacerbations
who has not adequately responded to nebulized bronchodilators.
Theophylline (Theolair) is a smooth muscle dilator. Its adverse effects and narrow therapeutic
range have limited its use recently because newer, safer drugs have become available.
For a patient with a large pneumothorax, findings include - ANS-1. subcutaneous emphysema,
2. cyanosis, 3. hypotension, and
4. severe dyspnea.
generalized fluid overload pulmonary edema finding include: - ANS-S3 and S4 heart sounds;
a rapid and bounding pulse that becomes weak and thready if untreated;
