1|Page
NCLEX Respiratory Disorders Study
Guide
HealthStudyPro | Updated 2025 Edition
,2|Page
NCLEX Respiratory Disorders & Interventions
Guide
(2025 Edition - Perfect for Next Gen
NCLEX)
,3|Page
Table of Content
Contents
Table of Content...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Asthma & Asthma Attacks............................................................................................................................... 9
2. COPD (Emphysema vs. Chronic Bronchitis).......................................................................................... 16
COPD: Emphysema vs. Chronic Bronchitis (NCLEX Study Guide).....................................................16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, incurable respiratory
disorder characterized by airflow limitation and abnormal inflammatory responses of the
lungs to noxious particles or gases, most commonly from cigarette smoking. The two main
types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While both affect the lower
respiratory tract and share common features, they differ significantly in pathophysiology,
clinical presentation, and management....................................................................................................... 16
1. Pathophysiology............................................................................................................................................... 16
Emphysema............................................................................................................................................................. 16
Caused by destruction of alveolar walls and capillaries.......................................................................16
Results in loss of lung elasticity, air trapping, and hyperinflation....................................................16
Alveoli become overdistended, merge into larger air spaces (bullae), and reduce the surface
area for gas exchange.......................................................................................................................................... 16
🔬 Think: “Pink puffer” – patient works hard to breathe, but maintains oxygenation until
late stages................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Chronic Bronchitis................................................................................................................................................ 17
Defined as a productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years................................17
Caused by inflammation of the bronchi, increased mucus production, and impaired ciliary
function..................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Airways become narrowed and plugged with thick secretions.........................................................17
🔬 Think: “Blue bloater” – hypoxemia and cyanosis occur early due to ineffective oxygen
exchange................................................................................................................................................................... 17
2. Clinical Presentation (Signs and Symptoms)........................................................................................ 17
Feature...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Emphysema............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Chronic Bronchitis................................................................................................................................................ 17
Appearance.............................................................................................................................................................. 17
, 4|Page
Thin, barrel chest, cachectic............................................................................................................................. 17
Stocky, overweight............................................................................................................................................... 17
Breathing pattern.................................................................................................................................................. 17
Pursed-lip breathing, accessory muscle use.............................................................................................. 17
Shallow breathing, wheezing........................................................................................................................... 17
Color........................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Pink (well-perfused)............................................................................................................................................ 17
Cyanotic (hypoxemic)......................................................................................................................................... 17
Cough......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Minimal or dry........................................................................................................................................................ 17
Persistent and productive................................................................................................................................. 17
Sputum...................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Scant........................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Copious, thick......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Dyspnea.................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Severe, early onset................................................................................................................................................ 18
Mild to moderate, later onset........................................................................................................................... 18
Lung sounds............................................................................................................................................................ 18
Decreased breath sounds, prolonged expiration.....................................................................................18
Rhonchi, wheezing, crackles............................................................................................................................. 18
Chest shape.............................................................................................................................................................. 18
Barrel chest due to lung hyperinflation....................................................................................................... 18
Normal or slightly increased............................................................................................................................ 18
Clubbing.................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Late stages............................................................................................................................................................... 18
Common in moderate-to-severe cases......................................................................................................... 18
3. Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)........................................................................................................................ 19
Monitoring ABGs is crucial in COPD patients, as changes reflect worsening gas exchange....19
ABG Parameter....................................................................................................................................................... 19
Emphysema............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Chronic Bronchitis................................................................................................................................................ 19
PaO₂............................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Decreased (hypoxemia develops later)........................................................................................................ 19
NCLEX Respiratory Disorders Study
Guide
HealthStudyPro | Updated 2025 Edition
,2|Page
NCLEX Respiratory Disorders & Interventions
Guide
(2025 Edition - Perfect for Next Gen
NCLEX)
,3|Page
Table of Content
Contents
Table of Content...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Asthma & Asthma Attacks............................................................................................................................... 9
2. COPD (Emphysema vs. Chronic Bronchitis).......................................................................................... 16
COPD: Emphysema vs. Chronic Bronchitis (NCLEX Study Guide).....................................................16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, incurable respiratory
disorder characterized by airflow limitation and abnormal inflammatory responses of the
lungs to noxious particles or gases, most commonly from cigarette smoking. The two main
types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While both affect the lower
respiratory tract and share common features, they differ significantly in pathophysiology,
clinical presentation, and management....................................................................................................... 16
1. Pathophysiology............................................................................................................................................... 16
Emphysema............................................................................................................................................................. 16
Caused by destruction of alveolar walls and capillaries.......................................................................16
Results in loss of lung elasticity, air trapping, and hyperinflation....................................................16
Alveoli become overdistended, merge into larger air spaces (bullae), and reduce the surface
area for gas exchange.......................................................................................................................................... 16
🔬 Think: “Pink puffer” – patient works hard to breathe, but maintains oxygenation until
late stages................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Chronic Bronchitis................................................................................................................................................ 17
Defined as a productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years................................17
Caused by inflammation of the bronchi, increased mucus production, and impaired ciliary
function..................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Airways become narrowed and plugged with thick secretions.........................................................17
🔬 Think: “Blue bloater” – hypoxemia and cyanosis occur early due to ineffective oxygen
exchange................................................................................................................................................................... 17
2. Clinical Presentation (Signs and Symptoms)........................................................................................ 17
Feature...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Emphysema............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Chronic Bronchitis................................................................................................................................................ 17
Appearance.............................................................................................................................................................. 17
, 4|Page
Thin, barrel chest, cachectic............................................................................................................................. 17
Stocky, overweight............................................................................................................................................... 17
Breathing pattern.................................................................................................................................................. 17
Pursed-lip breathing, accessory muscle use.............................................................................................. 17
Shallow breathing, wheezing........................................................................................................................... 17
Color........................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Pink (well-perfused)............................................................................................................................................ 17
Cyanotic (hypoxemic)......................................................................................................................................... 17
Cough......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Minimal or dry........................................................................................................................................................ 17
Persistent and productive................................................................................................................................. 17
Sputum...................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Scant........................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Copious, thick......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Dyspnea.................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Severe, early onset................................................................................................................................................ 18
Mild to moderate, later onset........................................................................................................................... 18
Lung sounds............................................................................................................................................................ 18
Decreased breath sounds, prolonged expiration.....................................................................................18
Rhonchi, wheezing, crackles............................................................................................................................. 18
Chest shape.............................................................................................................................................................. 18
Barrel chest due to lung hyperinflation....................................................................................................... 18
Normal or slightly increased............................................................................................................................ 18
Clubbing.................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Late stages............................................................................................................................................................... 18
Common in moderate-to-severe cases......................................................................................................... 18
3. Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)........................................................................................................................ 19
Monitoring ABGs is crucial in COPD patients, as changes reflect worsening gas exchange....19
ABG Parameter....................................................................................................................................................... 19
Emphysema............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Chronic Bronchitis................................................................................................................................................ 19
PaO₂............................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Decreased (hypoxemia develops later)........................................................................................................ 19
