COPD NCLEX CORE EXAM SET 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS MARKED A+
✔✔11. Which of the following is a priority goal for the client with COPD?
A) Maintaining functional ability
B) Minimizing chest pain
C) Increasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood
D) Treating infectious agents - ✔✔a
✔✔12. A client's arterial blood gas values are as follows: pH 7.31, PaO2 80 mm Hg,
PaCO2 65 mm Hg, HCO3 36 mEq/L. Which of the following signs and symptoms should
the nurse expect?
A) Cyanosis
B) Flushed skin
C) Irritability
D) Anxiety - ✔✔b
✔✔13. When performing postural drainage, which of the following promotes the
movement of secretions from the lower to the upper respiratory tract?
A) Friction between the cilia
B) Force of gravity
C) Sweeping motion of the cilia
D) Involuntary muscle contraction - ✔✔b
✔✔14. When teaching a client with COPD to conserve energy, the nurse should teach
the client to lift objects:
A) While inhaling through an open mouth
B) While exhaling through pursed lips
C) After exhaling but before inhaling
D) While taking a deep breath and holding it - ✔✔b
✔✔15. The nurse teaches a client with COPD to assess signs and symptoms of right
sided heart failure. Which of the following signs and symptoms should be included in the
teaching plan?
A) Clubbing of nails
B) Hypertension
C) Peripheral edema
D) Increased appetite - ✔✔c
, ✔✔16. The nurse assesses the respiratory status of a client experiencing an
exacerbation of COPD secondary to a upper respiratory tract infection. Which of the
following findings would be expected?
A) Normal breath sounds
B) Prolonged inspiration
C) Normal chest movement
D) Coarse crackles and rhonchi - ✔✔d
✔✔17. Which of the following blood gas abnormalities should the nurse anticipate in the
client with advanced COPD?
A) Increased PaCO2
B) Increased PaO2
C) Increased pH
D) Increased oxygen saturation - ✔✔a
✔✔18. A client with COPD is experiencing dyspnea and has a low PaO2 level. The
nurse plans to administer oxygen as ordered. Which of the following statements is true
concerning oxygen administration to a client with COPD?
A) High oxygen concentrations will cause coughing and dyspnea
B) High oxygen concentrations may inhibit the hypoxic stimulus to breathe
C) Increased oxygen use will cause the client to become dependent on the oxygen
D) Administration of oxygen is contraindicated in clients who are using bronchodilators -
✔✔b
✔✔19. Which of the following diets would be most appropriate for a client with COPD?
A) Low fat, low cholesterol
B) Bland, soft diet
C) Low sodium diet
D) High calorie, high protein - ✔✔d
✔✔20. The nurse administers theophylline (Theo-dur) to a client. To evaluate the
effectiveness of this medication, which of the following drug actions should the nurse
anticipate?
A) Suppression of the client's respiratory rate
B) Decrease in bronchial secretions
C) Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
D) Thinning of tenacious, purulent sputum - ✔✔c
✔✔21. The nurse is planning to teach a client with COPD how to cough effectively.
Which of the following instructions should be included?
SOLUTIONS MARKED A+
✔✔11. Which of the following is a priority goal for the client with COPD?
A) Maintaining functional ability
B) Minimizing chest pain
C) Increasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood
D) Treating infectious agents - ✔✔a
✔✔12. A client's arterial blood gas values are as follows: pH 7.31, PaO2 80 mm Hg,
PaCO2 65 mm Hg, HCO3 36 mEq/L. Which of the following signs and symptoms should
the nurse expect?
A) Cyanosis
B) Flushed skin
C) Irritability
D) Anxiety - ✔✔b
✔✔13. When performing postural drainage, which of the following promotes the
movement of secretions from the lower to the upper respiratory tract?
A) Friction between the cilia
B) Force of gravity
C) Sweeping motion of the cilia
D) Involuntary muscle contraction - ✔✔b
✔✔14. When teaching a client with COPD to conserve energy, the nurse should teach
the client to lift objects:
A) While inhaling through an open mouth
B) While exhaling through pursed lips
C) After exhaling but before inhaling
D) While taking a deep breath and holding it - ✔✔b
✔✔15. The nurse teaches a client with COPD to assess signs and symptoms of right
sided heart failure. Which of the following signs and symptoms should be included in the
teaching plan?
A) Clubbing of nails
B) Hypertension
C) Peripheral edema
D) Increased appetite - ✔✔c
, ✔✔16. The nurse assesses the respiratory status of a client experiencing an
exacerbation of COPD secondary to a upper respiratory tract infection. Which of the
following findings would be expected?
A) Normal breath sounds
B) Prolonged inspiration
C) Normal chest movement
D) Coarse crackles and rhonchi - ✔✔d
✔✔17. Which of the following blood gas abnormalities should the nurse anticipate in the
client with advanced COPD?
A) Increased PaCO2
B) Increased PaO2
C) Increased pH
D) Increased oxygen saturation - ✔✔a
✔✔18. A client with COPD is experiencing dyspnea and has a low PaO2 level. The
nurse plans to administer oxygen as ordered. Which of the following statements is true
concerning oxygen administration to a client with COPD?
A) High oxygen concentrations will cause coughing and dyspnea
B) High oxygen concentrations may inhibit the hypoxic stimulus to breathe
C) Increased oxygen use will cause the client to become dependent on the oxygen
D) Administration of oxygen is contraindicated in clients who are using bronchodilators -
✔✔b
✔✔19. Which of the following diets would be most appropriate for a client with COPD?
A) Low fat, low cholesterol
B) Bland, soft diet
C) Low sodium diet
D) High calorie, high protein - ✔✔d
✔✔20. The nurse administers theophylline (Theo-dur) to a client. To evaluate the
effectiveness of this medication, which of the following drug actions should the nurse
anticipate?
A) Suppression of the client's respiratory rate
B) Decrease in bronchial secretions
C) Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
D) Thinning of tenacious, purulent sputum - ✔✔c
✔✔21. The nurse is planning to teach a client with COPD how to cough effectively.
Which of the following instructions should be included?
