Gas Exchange and Oxygenation ATI EXAM VERSION
WITH CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
1. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which intervention is most effective to improve oxygenation?
A. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
B. Limit fluid intake
C. Position the client supine
D. Instruct the client to hold their breath intermittently
*Answer: A. Encourage pursed-lip breathing — Pursed-lip breathing helps slow
expiration, prevents airway collapse, and improves alveolar gas exchange.
2. A client is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the
client’s oxygen saturation is 88%. What is the priority action?
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B. Assess the client’s respiratory status
C. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
D. Document the finding
*Answer: B. Assess the client’s respiratory status — Before adjusting oxygen, the
nurse should evaluate the client for underlying causes of hypoxemia and assess
work of breathing.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) finding indicates hypoxemia?
A. PaO₂ 80 mmHg
B. PaO₂ 65 mmHg
C. PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
D. pH 7.40
*Answer: B. PaO₂ 65 mmHg — Normal PaO₂ is 80–100 mmHg; a value below 80
indicates hypoxemia.
,4. The nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which assessment finding
best indicates impaired gas exchange?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. SpO₂ 89% on room air
C. Productive cough
D. Temperature 101°F
*Answer: B. SpO₂ 89% on room air — Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates
inadequate oxygenation and impaired gas exchange.
5. A client with asthma is experiencing shortness of breath. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Teach pursed-lip breathing
D. Provide humidified air
*Answer: A. Administer a bronchodilator — Relieving bronchospasm immediately
improves airflow and oxygenation.
6. Which finding in a client with emphysema indicates the need for
supplemental oxygen?
A. PaO₂ 95 mmHg
B. SpO₂ 86%
C. Respiratory rate 16/min
D. Heart rate 80 bpm
*Answer: B. SpO₂ 86% — Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and
the need for supplemental oxygen.
7. Which position is best for a client experiencing dyspnea to improve
oxygenation?
A. Supine with legs elevated
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Lying on the side
, *Answer: C. High Fowler’s — Sitting upright maximizes lung expansion and
facilitates gas exchange.
8. The nurse is caring for a post-operative client at risk for atelectasis. Which
intervention promotes gas exchange?
A. Encourage early ambulation
B. Restrict fluid intake
C. Keep the client in bed
D. Limit deep breathing exercises
*Answer: A. Encourage early ambulation — Mobility promotes lung expansion,
prevents alveolar collapse, and improves oxygenation.
9. Which client is at highest risk for impaired gas exchange?
A. 25-year-old with mild seasonal allergies
B. 60-year-old with chronic bronchitis
C. 30-year-old with a leg fracture
D. 45-year-old post laparoscopic surgery
*Answer: B. 60-year-old with chronic bronchitis — Chronic bronchitis causes
airway obstruction and impaired oxygenation.
10. The nurse is teaching a client with COPD about pursed-lip breathing. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will breathe in through my mouth and out through my nose.”
B. “I will take deep breaths and exhale quickly.”
C. “I will inhale through my nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips.”
D. “I will hold my breath for as long as possible.”
*Answer: C. “I will inhale through my nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips.”
— This technique prevents airway collapse and improves oxygenation.
11. Which finding indicates hypercapnia in a client with COPD?
A. PaCO₂ 35 mmHg
B. PaCO₂ 50 mmHg
C. PaO₂ 95 mmHg
D. pH 7.40
WITH CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
1. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which intervention is most effective to improve oxygenation?
A. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
B. Limit fluid intake
C. Position the client supine
D. Instruct the client to hold their breath intermittently
*Answer: A. Encourage pursed-lip breathing — Pursed-lip breathing helps slow
expiration, prevents airway collapse, and improves alveolar gas exchange.
2. A client is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the
client’s oxygen saturation is 88%. What is the priority action?
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B. Assess the client’s respiratory status
C. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
D. Document the finding
*Answer: B. Assess the client’s respiratory status — Before adjusting oxygen, the
nurse should evaluate the client for underlying causes of hypoxemia and assess
work of breathing.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) finding indicates hypoxemia?
A. PaO₂ 80 mmHg
B. PaO₂ 65 mmHg
C. PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
D. pH 7.40
*Answer: B. PaO₂ 65 mmHg — Normal PaO₂ is 80–100 mmHg; a value below 80
indicates hypoxemia.
,4. The nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which assessment finding
best indicates impaired gas exchange?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. SpO₂ 89% on room air
C. Productive cough
D. Temperature 101°F
*Answer: B. SpO₂ 89% on room air — Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates
inadequate oxygenation and impaired gas exchange.
5. A client with asthma is experiencing shortness of breath. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Teach pursed-lip breathing
D. Provide humidified air
*Answer: A. Administer a bronchodilator — Relieving bronchospasm immediately
improves airflow and oxygenation.
6. Which finding in a client with emphysema indicates the need for
supplemental oxygen?
A. PaO₂ 95 mmHg
B. SpO₂ 86%
C. Respiratory rate 16/min
D. Heart rate 80 bpm
*Answer: B. SpO₂ 86% — Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and
the need for supplemental oxygen.
7. Which position is best for a client experiencing dyspnea to improve
oxygenation?
A. Supine with legs elevated
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Lying on the side
, *Answer: C. High Fowler’s — Sitting upright maximizes lung expansion and
facilitates gas exchange.
8. The nurse is caring for a post-operative client at risk for atelectasis. Which
intervention promotes gas exchange?
A. Encourage early ambulation
B. Restrict fluid intake
C. Keep the client in bed
D. Limit deep breathing exercises
*Answer: A. Encourage early ambulation — Mobility promotes lung expansion,
prevents alveolar collapse, and improves oxygenation.
9. Which client is at highest risk for impaired gas exchange?
A. 25-year-old with mild seasonal allergies
B. 60-year-old with chronic bronchitis
C. 30-year-old with a leg fracture
D. 45-year-old post laparoscopic surgery
*Answer: B. 60-year-old with chronic bronchitis — Chronic bronchitis causes
airway obstruction and impaired oxygenation.
10. The nurse is teaching a client with COPD about pursed-lip breathing. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will breathe in through my mouth and out through my nose.”
B. “I will take deep breaths and exhale quickly.”
C. “I will inhale through my nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips.”
D. “I will hold my breath for as long as possible.”
*Answer: C. “I will inhale through my nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips.”
— This technique prevents airway collapse and improves oxygenation.
11. Which finding indicates hypercapnia in a client with COPD?
A. PaCO₂ 35 mmHg
B. PaCO₂ 50 mmHg
C. PaO₂ 95 mmHg
D. pH 7.40
