GAS EXCHANGE NCLEX PRACTICE
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
After teaching a client who is prescribed salmeterol, the nurse assesses the client's
understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional teaching?
a. "I will be certain to shake the inhaler well before I use it."
b. "It may take a while before I notice a change in my asthma."
c. "I will use the drug when I have an asthma attack."
d. "I will be careful not to let the drug escape out of my nose and mouth." - ANS C. "I will use
the drug when I have an asthma attack."
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a severe exacerbation of asthma.
Which finding is of most concern to the nurse?
A. Unable to speak and sweating profusely
B. PaO2 of 80 mm Hg and PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg
C. Presence of inspiratory and expiratory wheezing
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,D. Peak expiratory flow rate at 60% of personal best - ANS A. Unable to speak and sweating
profusely
Later signs of COPD include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. pursed lip breathing.
B. use of accessory muscles.
C. shortened expiration.
D. fingernail clubbing. - ANS C.Shortened expiration
A patient is prescribed two different types of inhaled medications for treatment of COPD. After
administering the first medication, how long should the nurse wait to administer the second
medication?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 15 minutes - ANS B. 5 minutes
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,The nurse is providing teaching to a group of individuals with COPD at a community center.
Which statement by one of the attendees indicates that further teaching is needed?
A. "If I develop a puffy face, I will stop taking methylprednisolone (Medrol) immediately."
B. "I will inform my prescriber of any weight gain of 2 lb or more in 24 hours or 5 lb or more in 1
week."
C. "I use omalizumab to control my asthma but not for an acute asthma attack."
D. "When taking theophylline , I will advise my prescriber if I experience epigastric pain." -
ANS A. "If I develop a puffy face, I will stop taking methylprednisolone (Medrol)
immediately."
One of the attendees of health class expresses concern regarding her granddaughter's asthma.
The attendee tells the nurse that she is afraid that she will not know which of her
granddaughter's medications to give first in case of an asthma attack. Which medication should
the nurse inform the attendee to administer first for an acute asthma attack?
A. ipratropium
B. albuterol
C. budesonide
D. montelukast - ANS B. albuterol
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, A patient's ABG results include pH 7.31, Paco2 50 mm Hg, Pao2 51 mm Hg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
Oxygen is administered at 2 L/min, and the patient is placed in high-Fowler's position. An hour
later, the ABGs are repeated with results of pH 7.36, Paco2 40 mm Hg, Pao2 60 mm Hg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. What is most important for the nurse to do?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
B. Document the findings in the patient's record.
C. Reposition the patient in a semi-Fowler's position.
D. Prepare the patient for endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. - ANS fake
guess-A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
A patient with severe chronic lung disease is hospitalized with respiratory distress. Which
finding would suggest to the nurse that the patient has developed rapid decompensation?
A. An Spo2 of 86%
B. A blood pH of 7.33
C. Agitation or confusion
D. Paco2 increases from 48 to 55 mm Hg - ANS fake guess-A. An Spo2 of 86%
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EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
After teaching a client who is prescribed salmeterol, the nurse assesses the client's
understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional teaching?
a. "I will be certain to shake the inhaler well before I use it."
b. "It may take a while before I notice a change in my asthma."
c. "I will use the drug when I have an asthma attack."
d. "I will be careful not to let the drug escape out of my nose and mouth." - ANS C. "I will use
the drug when I have an asthma attack."
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a severe exacerbation of asthma.
Which finding is of most concern to the nurse?
A. Unable to speak and sweating profusely
B. PaO2 of 80 mm Hg and PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg
C. Presence of inspiratory and expiratory wheezing
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,D. Peak expiratory flow rate at 60% of personal best - ANS A. Unable to speak and sweating
profusely
Later signs of COPD include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. pursed lip breathing.
B. use of accessory muscles.
C. shortened expiration.
D. fingernail clubbing. - ANS C.Shortened expiration
A patient is prescribed two different types of inhaled medications for treatment of COPD. After
administering the first medication, how long should the nurse wait to administer the second
medication?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 15 minutes - ANS B. 5 minutes
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,The nurse is providing teaching to a group of individuals with COPD at a community center.
Which statement by one of the attendees indicates that further teaching is needed?
A. "If I develop a puffy face, I will stop taking methylprednisolone (Medrol) immediately."
B. "I will inform my prescriber of any weight gain of 2 lb or more in 24 hours or 5 lb or more in 1
week."
C. "I use omalizumab to control my asthma but not for an acute asthma attack."
D. "When taking theophylline , I will advise my prescriber if I experience epigastric pain." -
ANS A. "If I develop a puffy face, I will stop taking methylprednisolone (Medrol)
immediately."
One of the attendees of health class expresses concern regarding her granddaughter's asthma.
The attendee tells the nurse that she is afraid that she will not know which of her
granddaughter's medications to give first in case of an asthma attack. Which medication should
the nurse inform the attendee to administer first for an acute asthma attack?
A. ipratropium
B. albuterol
C. budesonide
D. montelukast - ANS B. albuterol
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, A patient's ABG results include pH 7.31, Paco2 50 mm Hg, Pao2 51 mm Hg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
Oxygen is administered at 2 L/min, and the patient is placed in high-Fowler's position. An hour
later, the ABGs are repeated with results of pH 7.36, Paco2 40 mm Hg, Pao2 60 mm Hg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. What is most important for the nurse to do?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
B. Document the findings in the patient's record.
C. Reposition the patient in a semi-Fowler's position.
D. Prepare the patient for endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. - ANS fake
guess-A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
A patient with severe chronic lung disease is hospitalized with respiratory distress. Which
finding would suggest to the nurse that the patient has developed rapid decompensation?
A. An Spo2 of 86%
B. A blood pH of 7.33
C. Agitation or confusion
D. Paco2 increases from 48 to 55 mm Hg - ANS fake guess-A. An Spo2 of 86%
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