Pathophysiology Test QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Which manifestations are most common in clients with COPD that is predominantly
emphysema? Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• hyperresonance
• increased A-P diameter
A patient with sepsis secondary to pneumonia develops acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS) and a low ventilation-perfusion ratio. Which of the following alterations in the lungs
occurs as the disease progresses? Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• Surfactant inactivation
• Intrapulmonary shunting
• lung stiffens
• Alveolar collapse
The nurse assesses a 65-year-old female client who reported to the emergency department
with exacerbation of asthma during her daughter's wedding reception. Select all of the triggers
that may have precipitated the attack. - ANSWER>>• Emotional stress
• Dancing
• Aspirin
A client with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been taught methods
to maintain maximum functioning. What client statement indicates accurate understanding of
the instructions? - ANSWER>>"I will skip church during flu season and wear a scarf when out in
the cold."
What etiologic determinants are important in the development of the pneumoconioses? (Select
all that apply.) - ANSWER>>• Chemical nature of the dust particle
• Size of dust particle
• Ability of particle to incite lung destruction
Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is distinguishable between
the two by the extent of hypoxemia involved. What is the clinical presentation of ARDS? (Select
all that apply.) - ANSWER>>• Rapid onset
• Increase in respiratory rate
• Hypoxemia refractory to treatment
,A nurse is providing care for a client who has been admitted to a medical unit with a diagnosis
of bronchiectasis. Which of the following signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to find
during physical assessment of the client and the review of the client's history? Select all that
apply: - ANSWER>>• Recurrent chest infections
• Production of purulent sputum
• Low hemoglobin levels
Which clients are at greatest risk of developing an occupational lung disease? Select all that
apply. - ANSWER>>• Bricklayer
• Coal miner
• Farmer
• Flour miller
A COPD patient asks the nurse which of the following medications is prescribed to help their
breathing. The nurse, looking at the list of medications, will educate the patient about which of
the following medications to help their COPD in the long-term. Select all that apply. -
ANSWER>>• Salmeterol (Serevent), a bronchodilator.
• Tiotropium (Spiriva), anticholinergic.
Acute respiratory failure is commonly signalled by varying degrees of hypoxemia and
hypercapnia. Respiratory acidosis develops, manifested by: - ANSWER>>Increased cerebral
blood flow
Which of the following statements best captures the etiology of the acute response phase of
extrinsic (atopic) asthma? - ANSWER>>Chemical mediators are released from pre-sensitized
mast cells.
A client with hypercapnia needs to increase calorie intake without increasing work of breathing.
What menu selection is the best choice? - ANSWER>>Chicken salad, refried beans, and
guacamole
When evaluating the pulmonary function test results for a COPD client, which one correlates to
the mismatch of ventilation and perfusion associated with this diagnosis? - ANSWER>>Forced
expiratory volume (FEV) is decreased.
What description is characteristic of the pathology of chronic bronchitis? - ANSWER>>Airways
are obstructed by mucus, causing hypoxemia.
,A client who was hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia has now developed an infection in the
pleural cavity. The nurse would recognize this as: - ANSWER>>Empyema
The management of cor pulmonale is directed at the underlying lung disease and heart failure.
Why is low-flow oxygen therapy a part of the management of cor pulmonale? -
ANSWER>>Reduces pulmonary hypertension and polycythemia associated with chronic lung
disease
In the early morning, an African-American woman brings her 5-year-old son to the emergency
room. The boy is wheezing, short of breath, and has a dry cough. The mother states that he has
always been very healthy. He went to bed with only a slight cold and a runny nose but woke her
with his coughing shortly after 4 a.m. His symptoms worsened so dramatically that she brought
him to the hospital. The care team would most likely suspect that he has: - ANSWER>>Asthma
A teenaged cystic fibrosis client presents to the clinic. The health care provider (HCP) knows
that cystic fibrosis (CF) causes severe chronic respiratory disease in children. In addition, the
HCP should also focus his or her assessment on which of the other body systems affected by
CF? - ANSWER>>Pancreatic
The parents of an infant bring the child to the emergency room three hours after they put the
child to bed in apparent good health. The child is restless, the pulse is 140 beats/ minute, and
lung sounds are diminished in all lung fields with intercostal retractions. What is the most likely
cause of these symptoms? - ANSWER>>Asthma
A client reports chest pain to the nurse. Which characteristics of the pain indicate pleuritis? -
ANSWER>>Sudden sharp pain in one side made worse by deep breathing
A physician is providing care for a child who has a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF). Place the
following events in the etiology of CF in ascending chronological order. Use all the options. -
ANSWER>>• Airway obstruction
• Recurrent pulmonary infections
• Impaired Cl- transport
• Decreased water content of mucociliary blanket
• Increased Na+ absorption
As part of a public health initiative, a nurse is teaching a group of older adults about ways to
promote and maintain their health. Recognizing that the common cold is a frequent source of
, ailment, the nurse is addressing this health problem. Which of the following teaching points
about the common cold is most accurate? - ANSWER>>"Use caution when choosing over the
counter drugs for your cold; most people do best with rest and anti-fever medications."
The nurse is performing a physical assessment for a client who is suspected to have sinusitis.
What assessment findings does the nurse recognize may indicate this infection? Select all that
apply. - ANSWER>>• Turbinate edema
• Nasal crusts
• Purulence of the nasal cavity
Which of the following clients at the clinic should be encouraged to receive the pneumococcal
polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)? A client: Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• Who is 65 years
old with chronic asthma
• With a smoking history
A client arrives at the clinic stating he is having "terrible headaches." What questions would be
appropriate for the nurse to ask that may indicate the headaches are related to sinusitis? Select
all that apply. - ANSWER>>• "Does bending forward exaggerate the headache?"
• "When you sneeze, does it make the headache worse?"
• "Does your neck feel stiff along with the headache?"
Following a dust storm in Arizona, several clients have presented to the clinic complaining of
productive cough, fever, and night sweats. The health care provider suspects a fungal infection
related to breathing dust. One particular client is critical. They suspect the infection has
progressed outside the lung when they observe the client has: Select all that apply. -
ANSWER>>• Generalized lymph node enlargement
• An enlarged liver via palpation
• Copious bleeding at the site where the lab technician drew some blood
A 62-year-old female smoker is distraught at her recent diagnosis of small cell lung cancer
(SCLC). How can her physician most appropriately respond to her? - ANSWER>>"This is very
difficult to hear, I'm sure, and we have to observe to see if it spreads because that often
happens."
A client diagnosed with influenza asks the nurse what treatment he can do to feel better. The
nurses' response should include: Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• Analgesics
• Cough medicine
• Antiviral medication
ANSWERS
Which manifestations are most common in clients with COPD that is predominantly
emphysema? Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• hyperresonance
• increased A-P diameter
A patient with sepsis secondary to pneumonia develops acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS) and a low ventilation-perfusion ratio. Which of the following alterations in the lungs
occurs as the disease progresses? Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• Surfactant inactivation
• Intrapulmonary shunting
• lung stiffens
• Alveolar collapse
The nurse assesses a 65-year-old female client who reported to the emergency department
with exacerbation of asthma during her daughter's wedding reception. Select all of the triggers
that may have precipitated the attack. - ANSWER>>• Emotional stress
• Dancing
• Aspirin
A client with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been taught methods
to maintain maximum functioning. What client statement indicates accurate understanding of
the instructions? - ANSWER>>"I will skip church during flu season and wear a scarf when out in
the cold."
What etiologic determinants are important in the development of the pneumoconioses? (Select
all that apply.) - ANSWER>>• Chemical nature of the dust particle
• Size of dust particle
• Ability of particle to incite lung destruction
Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is distinguishable between
the two by the extent of hypoxemia involved. What is the clinical presentation of ARDS? (Select
all that apply.) - ANSWER>>• Rapid onset
• Increase in respiratory rate
• Hypoxemia refractory to treatment
,A nurse is providing care for a client who has been admitted to a medical unit with a diagnosis
of bronchiectasis. Which of the following signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to find
during physical assessment of the client and the review of the client's history? Select all that
apply: - ANSWER>>• Recurrent chest infections
• Production of purulent sputum
• Low hemoglobin levels
Which clients are at greatest risk of developing an occupational lung disease? Select all that
apply. - ANSWER>>• Bricklayer
• Coal miner
• Farmer
• Flour miller
A COPD patient asks the nurse which of the following medications is prescribed to help their
breathing. The nurse, looking at the list of medications, will educate the patient about which of
the following medications to help their COPD in the long-term. Select all that apply. -
ANSWER>>• Salmeterol (Serevent), a bronchodilator.
• Tiotropium (Spiriva), anticholinergic.
Acute respiratory failure is commonly signalled by varying degrees of hypoxemia and
hypercapnia. Respiratory acidosis develops, manifested by: - ANSWER>>Increased cerebral
blood flow
Which of the following statements best captures the etiology of the acute response phase of
extrinsic (atopic) asthma? - ANSWER>>Chemical mediators are released from pre-sensitized
mast cells.
A client with hypercapnia needs to increase calorie intake without increasing work of breathing.
What menu selection is the best choice? - ANSWER>>Chicken salad, refried beans, and
guacamole
When evaluating the pulmonary function test results for a COPD client, which one correlates to
the mismatch of ventilation and perfusion associated with this diagnosis? - ANSWER>>Forced
expiratory volume (FEV) is decreased.
What description is characteristic of the pathology of chronic bronchitis? - ANSWER>>Airways
are obstructed by mucus, causing hypoxemia.
,A client who was hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia has now developed an infection in the
pleural cavity. The nurse would recognize this as: - ANSWER>>Empyema
The management of cor pulmonale is directed at the underlying lung disease and heart failure.
Why is low-flow oxygen therapy a part of the management of cor pulmonale? -
ANSWER>>Reduces pulmonary hypertension and polycythemia associated with chronic lung
disease
In the early morning, an African-American woman brings her 5-year-old son to the emergency
room. The boy is wheezing, short of breath, and has a dry cough. The mother states that he has
always been very healthy. He went to bed with only a slight cold and a runny nose but woke her
with his coughing shortly after 4 a.m. His symptoms worsened so dramatically that she brought
him to the hospital. The care team would most likely suspect that he has: - ANSWER>>Asthma
A teenaged cystic fibrosis client presents to the clinic. The health care provider (HCP) knows
that cystic fibrosis (CF) causes severe chronic respiratory disease in children. In addition, the
HCP should also focus his or her assessment on which of the other body systems affected by
CF? - ANSWER>>Pancreatic
The parents of an infant bring the child to the emergency room three hours after they put the
child to bed in apparent good health. The child is restless, the pulse is 140 beats/ minute, and
lung sounds are diminished in all lung fields with intercostal retractions. What is the most likely
cause of these symptoms? - ANSWER>>Asthma
A client reports chest pain to the nurse. Which characteristics of the pain indicate pleuritis? -
ANSWER>>Sudden sharp pain in one side made worse by deep breathing
A physician is providing care for a child who has a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF). Place the
following events in the etiology of CF in ascending chronological order. Use all the options. -
ANSWER>>• Airway obstruction
• Recurrent pulmonary infections
• Impaired Cl- transport
• Decreased water content of mucociliary blanket
• Increased Na+ absorption
As part of a public health initiative, a nurse is teaching a group of older adults about ways to
promote and maintain their health. Recognizing that the common cold is a frequent source of
, ailment, the nurse is addressing this health problem. Which of the following teaching points
about the common cold is most accurate? - ANSWER>>"Use caution when choosing over the
counter drugs for your cold; most people do best with rest and anti-fever medications."
The nurse is performing a physical assessment for a client who is suspected to have sinusitis.
What assessment findings does the nurse recognize may indicate this infection? Select all that
apply. - ANSWER>>• Turbinate edema
• Nasal crusts
• Purulence of the nasal cavity
Which of the following clients at the clinic should be encouraged to receive the pneumococcal
polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)? A client: Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• Who is 65 years
old with chronic asthma
• With a smoking history
A client arrives at the clinic stating he is having "terrible headaches." What questions would be
appropriate for the nurse to ask that may indicate the headaches are related to sinusitis? Select
all that apply. - ANSWER>>• "Does bending forward exaggerate the headache?"
• "When you sneeze, does it make the headache worse?"
• "Does your neck feel stiff along with the headache?"
Following a dust storm in Arizona, several clients have presented to the clinic complaining of
productive cough, fever, and night sweats. The health care provider suspects a fungal infection
related to breathing dust. One particular client is critical. They suspect the infection has
progressed outside the lung when they observe the client has: Select all that apply. -
ANSWER>>• Generalized lymph node enlargement
• An enlarged liver via palpation
• Copious bleeding at the site where the lab technician drew some blood
A 62-year-old female smoker is distraught at her recent diagnosis of small cell lung cancer
(SCLC). How can her physician most appropriately respond to her? - ANSWER>>"This is very
difficult to hear, I'm sure, and we have to observe to see if it spreads because that often
happens."
A client diagnosed with influenza asks the nurse what treatment he can do to feel better. The
nurses' response should include: Select all that apply. - ANSWER>>• Analgesics
• Cough medicine
• Antiviral medication
