MED-SURG RESPIRATORY MAIN EXAM 2025/2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTION GRADED A+
✔✔A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postoperative following a
rhinoplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Apply warm compresses to the face
B. Take aspirin 650 mg by mouth for mild pain
C. Close your mouth when sneezing
D. Lie on your back with your head elevated 30 degrees when resting - ✔✔D. Lie on
your back with your head elevated 30 degrees when resting
- The nurse should instruct the client to rest in the semi-Fowler's position to prevent
aspiration of nasal secretions
- A: The client should apply cold compresses to the face to decrease swelling
- B: The client should avoid taking aspirin because it increases the risk of bleeding by
decreasing platelet aggregation
- C: The client should open the mouth when sneezing to reduce strain on the incisional
site
✔✔A nurse is caring for a client with the following ABG results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 27
mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. The nurse should identify that the client has which of the
following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis - ✔✔B. Respiratory alkalosis
✔✔A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
and is experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse
perform first?
A. Monitor the client's arterial blood gas results
B. Instruct the client to perform controlled coughing
C. Teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing
D. Place the client in an upright position - ✔✔D. Place the client in an upright position
The nurse should place the client in an upright position to facilitate chest expansion and
proper diaphragmatic contraction. Positioning the client upright will also assist with
mobilizing secretions that might be impeding airflow.
✔✔A nurse is planning postoperative education for a client who will undergo a radical
neck dissection for cancer of the larynx. The nurse should include which of the following
topics?
, (Select all that apply.)
A. NPO status
B. Alternative methods of communication
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Changes in body image
E. Swallowing exercises - ✔✔A, B, D, E
A. NPO status
B. Alternative methods of communication
D. Changes in body image
E. Swallowing exercises
- The client will receive fluids and nutrition via an enteral tube while healing from the
surgery
- Radical neck dissection interrupts vocal communication, so the nurse should
determine with the client and family how the client will prefer to communicate
- Extensive resection can result in some disfigurement and a permanent tracheostomy;
the nurse should help prepare the client for these changes
- Swallowing can be challenging after an extensive resection. The client might require
the assistance of a speech-language pathologist to provide swallowing exercises and
techniques
- Option C is incorrect. Following a radical neck dissection, the client will have a
laryngectomy or a tracheostomy tube. The client will receive any necessary
supplemental ventilation and oxygenation plus suctioning via the laryngectomy or
tracheostomy tube, not an endotracheal tube.
✔✔A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who had a pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following statements indicates that the client understands the information?
A. I'll expect a little leg swelling since I won't be that active for a while
B. I'll see the doctor every week to change my vena cava filter
C. I'll call the doctor if I see any blood in my urine or stool
D. I'll have to take the blood thinner for a few more days - ✔✔C. I'll call the doctor if I
see any blood in my urine or stool
- Bleeding precautions are essential for clients who had a pulmonary embolism because
they will be taking an anticoagulant. They should report any signs of bleeding
immediately.
- A: The client might have to limit activities for a while but should report any leg swelling
or tenderness as an indication of clot formation
- B: The vena cava filter remains in place either until the provider determines there is
not a high risk for clot formation or permanently
- D: Clients who had a pulmonary embolism typically require anticoagulant therapy for
weeks to years after the acute event
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTION GRADED A+
✔✔A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postoperative following a
rhinoplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Apply warm compresses to the face
B. Take aspirin 650 mg by mouth for mild pain
C. Close your mouth when sneezing
D. Lie on your back with your head elevated 30 degrees when resting - ✔✔D. Lie on
your back with your head elevated 30 degrees when resting
- The nurse should instruct the client to rest in the semi-Fowler's position to prevent
aspiration of nasal secretions
- A: The client should apply cold compresses to the face to decrease swelling
- B: The client should avoid taking aspirin because it increases the risk of bleeding by
decreasing platelet aggregation
- C: The client should open the mouth when sneezing to reduce strain on the incisional
site
✔✔A nurse is caring for a client with the following ABG results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 27
mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. The nurse should identify that the client has which of the
following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis - ✔✔B. Respiratory alkalosis
✔✔A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
and is experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse
perform first?
A. Monitor the client's arterial blood gas results
B. Instruct the client to perform controlled coughing
C. Teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing
D. Place the client in an upright position - ✔✔D. Place the client in an upright position
The nurse should place the client in an upright position to facilitate chest expansion and
proper diaphragmatic contraction. Positioning the client upright will also assist with
mobilizing secretions that might be impeding airflow.
✔✔A nurse is planning postoperative education for a client who will undergo a radical
neck dissection for cancer of the larynx. The nurse should include which of the following
topics?
, (Select all that apply.)
A. NPO status
B. Alternative methods of communication
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Changes in body image
E. Swallowing exercises - ✔✔A, B, D, E
A. NPO status
B. Alternative methods of communication
D. Changes in body image
E. Swallowing exercises
- The client will receive fluids and nutrition via an enteral tube while healing from the
surgery
- Radical neck dissection interrupts vocal communication, so the nurse should
determine with the client and family how the client will prefer to communicate
- Extensive resection can result in some disfigurement and a permanent tracheostomy;
the nurse should help prepare the client for these changes
- Swallowing can be challenging after an extensive resection. The client might require
the assistance of a speech-language pathologist to provide swallowing exercises and
techniques
- Option C is incorrect. Following a radical neck dissection, the client will have a
laryngectomy or a tracheostomy tube. The client will receive any necessary
supplemental ventilation and oxygenation plus suctioning via the laryngectomy or
tracheostomy tube, not an endotracheal tube.
✔✔A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who had a pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following statements indicates that the client understands the information?
A. I'll expect a little leg swelling since I won't be that active for a while
B. I'll see the doctor every week to change my vena cava filter
C. I'll call the doctor if I see any blood in my urine or stool
D. I'll have to take the blood thinner for a few more days - ✔✔C. I'll call the doctor if I
see any blood in my urine or stool
- Bleeding precautions are essential for clients who had a pulmonary embolism because
they will be taking an anticoagulant. They should report any signs of bleeding
immediately.
- A: The client might have to limit activities for a while but should report any leg swelling
or tenderness as an indication of clot formation
- B: The vena cava filter remains in place either until the provider determines there is
not a high risk for clot formation or permanently
- D: Clients who had a pulmonary embolism typically require anticoagulant therapy for
weeks to years after the acute event
