CCC4 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
What lung complication is commonly caused by prolonged immobility? Atelectasis (collapse of
part or all of the alveoli). - Answers
Define atelectasis. Partial or complete collapse of the alveoli, decreasing surface area for gas
exchange. - Answers
What is the main cause of atelectasis in immobile patients? Shallow breathing and retained
secretions leading to alveolar collapse. - Answers
What is the primary device used to prevent atelectasis post-op? Incentive spirometer. - Answers
First step when teaching a patient to use an incentive spirometer. Have the patient exhale fully
to empty their lungs. - Answers
Second step when using an incentive spirometer. Seal lips tightly around the mouthpiece. -
Answers
Third step when using an incentive spirometer. Inhale slowly and deeply through the
mouthpiece. - Answers
What should the patient do after inhaling with the incentive spirometer? Hold their breath to
keep the ball or indicator elevated. - Answers
Why is holding the breath with an incentive spirometer important? It opens and expands alveoli
and promotes surfactant release. - Answers
How does Fowler's or High Fowler's position help breathing? It allows the chest to expand more,
improving lung expansion and aeration. - Answers
What vaccine helps prevent pneumonia in older adults? Pneumococcal vaccine. - Answers
At what age is the pneumococcal vaccine recommended? 65 years and older. - Answers
How often should a pneumococcal booster be given after age 65? Every 5 years. - Answers
What is a major circulatory complication of prolonged immobility? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Answers
What serious respiratory complication can a DVT cause? Pulmonary embolism (PE). - Answers
Classic symptom of a DVT in a leg. Pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in one calf. - Answers
How can you compare swelling in a suspected DVT? Measure calf circumference and compare
both legs. - Answers
What is the main medical treatment for a newly diagnosed DVT? IV heparin. - Answers
, What does heparin do to existing clots? Prevents existing clots from getting larger. - Answers
What does heparin do regarding new clots? Prevents new clots from forming. - Answers
Does heparin dissolve (bust) an existing clot? No, the body's own enzymes gradually break the
clot down. - Answers
Key respiratory symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain,
tachycardia; cyanosis can be a late sign. - Answers
Important nursing interventions for a patient with suspected PE. Place in High Fowler's position
and apply supplemental oxygen. - Answers
Define respiratory failure in simple terms. Failure of gas exchange at the alveolar-capillary
membrane. - Answers
Early signs of respiratory failure related to breathing. Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) and
use of accessory muscles. - Answers
Early cardiovascular sign of respiratory failure. Tachycardia (increased heart rate). - Answers
Neurologic sign that may appear early in respiratory failure. Confusion or change in level of
consciousness. - Answers
Define hypoxemia. Low oxygen level in arterial blood (low PaO₂). - Answers
At what PaO₂ value is hypoxemia present? PaO₂ less than 80 mmHg. - Answers
At what PaO₂ value is significant hypoxia present? PaO₂ less than 60 mmHg. - Answers
What test is used to identify hypoxemia and evaluate acid-base status? Arterial blood gases
(ABGs). - Answers
Define pneumothorax. Air (or fluid) in the pleural space causing partial or complete lung
collapse. - Answers
Where is the air located in a pneumothorax? Between the visceral and parietal pleura in the
pleural space. - Answers
Common respiratory sign of a pneumothorax. Shortness of breath with hypoxemia. - Answers
Define tension pneumothorax. A worsening pneumothorax where air enters the pleural space
and cannot escape, causing increasing pressure. - Answers
What can tension pneumothorax do to the heart and great vessels? Push or shift them to the
opposite side of the chest. - Answers
What type of shock can tension pneumothorax cause? Obstructive shock. - Answers
What lung complication is commonly caused by prolonged immobility? Atelectasis (collapse of
part or all of the alveoli). - Answers
Define atelectasis. Partial or complete collapse of the alveoli, decreasing surface area for gas
exchange. - Answers
What is the main cause of atelectasis in immobile patients? Shallow breathing and retained
secretions leading to alveolar collapse. - Answers
What is the primary device used to prevent atelectasis post-op? Incentive spirometer. - Answers
First step when teaching a patient to use an incentive spirometer. Have the patient exhale fully
to empty their lungs. - Answers
Second step when using an incentive spirometer. Seal lips tightly around the mouthpiece. -
Answers
Third step when using an incentive spirometer. Inhale slowly and deeply through the
mouthpiece. - Answers
What should the patient do after inhaling with the incentive spirometer? Hold their breath to
keep the ball or indicator elevated. - Answers
Why is holding the breath with an incentive spirometer important? It opens and expands alveoli
and promotes surfactant release. - Answers
How does Fowler's or High Fowler's position help breathing? It allows the chest to expand more,
improving lung expansion and aeration. - Answers
What vaccine helps prevent pneumonia in older adults? Pneumococcal vaccine. - Answers
At what age is the pneumococcal vaccine recommended? 65 years and older. - Answers
How often should a pneumococcal booster be given after age 65? Every 5 years. - Answers
What is a major circulatory complication of prolonged immobility? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Answers
What serious respiratory complication can a DVT cause? Pulmonary embolism (PE). - Answers
Classic symptom of a DVT in a leg. Pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in one calf. - Answers
How can you compare swelling in a suspected DVT? Measure calf circumference and compare
both legs. - Answers
What is the main medical treatment for a newly diagnosed DVT? IV heparin. - Answers
, What does heparin do to existing clots? Prevents existing clots from getting larger. - Answers
What does heparin do regarding new clots? Prevents new clots from forming. - Answers
Does heparin dissolve (bust) an existing clot? No, the body's own enzymes gradually break the
clot down. - Answers
Key respiratory symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain,
tachycardia; cyanosis can be a late sign. - Answers
Important nursing interventions for a patient with suspected PE. Place in High Fowler's position
and apply supplemental oxygen. - Answers
Define respiratory failure in simple terms. Failure of gas exchange at the alveolar-capillary
membrane. - Answers
Early signs of respiratory failure related to breathing. Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) and
use of accessory muscles. - Answers
Early cardiovascular sign of respiratory failure. Tachycardia (increased heart rate). - Answers
Neurologic sign that may appear early in respiratory failure. Confusion or change in level of
consciousness. - Answers
Define hypoxemia. Low oxygen level in arterial blood (low PaO₂). - Answers
At what PaO₂ value is hypoxemia present? PaO₂ less than 80 mmHg. - Answers
At what PaO₂ value is significant hypoxia present? PaO₂ less than 60 mmHg. - Answers
What test is used to identify hypoxemia and evaluate acid-base status? Arterial blood gases
(ABGs). - Answers
Define pneumothorax. Air (or fluid) in the pleural space causing partial or complete lung
collapse. - Answers
Where is the air located in a pneumothorax? Between the visceral and parietal pleura in the
pleural space. - Answers
Common respiratory sign of a pneumothorax. Shortness of breath with hypoxemia. - Answers
Define tension pneumothorax. A worsening pneumothorax where air enters the pleural space
and cannot escape, causing increasing pressure. - Answers
What can tension pneumothorax do to the heart and great vessels? Push or shift them to the
opposite side of the chest. - Answers
What type of shock can tension pneumothorax cause? Obstructive shock. - Answers
