CHAPTER 24 ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
STUDY GUIDE // A+ GRADED PRESENTATION // RESPIRATORY
ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES AND
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT
MASTERY // ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
A nurse obtains the health history of a client who is recently diagnosed with
lung cancer and identifies that the client has a 60 pack-year smoking
history. Which action is most important for the nurse to take when
interviewing this client?
a. tell the client that he needs to quit smoking to stop further cancer
development
b. encourage the client to be completely honest about both tobacco and
marijuana use
c. maintain a nonjudgmental attitude to avoid causing the client to feel
guilty
d. avoid giving the client false hope regarding cancer treatment and
prognosis. - CORRECT ANSWER-Maintain a nonjudgmental attitude to
avoid causing the client to feel guilty. Smoking history includes the use of
cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, marijuana, and other controlled
substances. Because the client may have guilt or denial about this habit,
assume a nonjudgmental attitude during the interview. This will encourage
the client to be honest about the exposure. Pack-years= number of packs
smoked daily x number of years the client has smoked. Quitting may not
stop cancer development, don't give false hope.
A nurse assesses a client after a thoracentesis. Which assessment finding
warrants immediate action? a. The client rates pain as a 5/10 at the site of
the procedure.
, b. A small amount of drainage from the site is noted.
c. Pulse oximetry is 93% on 2 liters of oxygen.
d. The trachea is deviated toward the opposite side of the neck. -
CORRECT ANSWER-The trachea is deviated toward the opposite side of
the neck. A deviated trachea is a manifestation of a tension pneumothorax,
which is a medical emergency. The other findings are normal or near
normal.
A nurse cares for a client who had a bronchoscopy 2 hours ago. The client
asks for a drink of water. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Call the physician and request a prescription for food and water.
b. Provide the client with ice chips instead of a drink of water.
c. Assess the clients gag reflex before giving any food or water.
d. Let the client have a small sip to see whether he or she can swallow. -
CORRECT ANSWER-Assess the clients gag reflex before giving any food
or water. The topical anesthetic used during the procedure will have
affected the clients gag reflex. Before allowing the client anything to eat or
drink, the nurse must check for the return of this reflex.
A nurse plans care for a client who is experiencing dyspnea and must stop
multiple times when climbing a flight of stairs. Which intervention should the
nurse include in this clients plan of care?
a. Assistance with activities of daily living
b. Physical therapy activities every day
c. Oxygen therapy at 2 liters per nasal cannula
d. Complete bedrest with frequent repositioning - CORRECT ANSWER-
Assistance with activities of daily living.
STUDY GUIDE // A+ GRADED PRESENTATION // RESPIRATORY
ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES AND
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT
MASTERY // ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
A nurse obtains the health history of a client who is recently diagnosed with
lung cancer and identifies that the client has a 60 pack-year smoking
history. Which action is most important for the nurse to take when
interviewing this client?
a. tell the client that he needs to quit smoking to stop further cancer
development
b. encourage the client to be completely honest about both tobacco and
marijuana use
c. maintain a nonjudgmental attitude to avoid causing the client to feel
guilty
d. avoid giving the client false hope regarding cancer treatment and
prognosis. - CORRECT ANSWER-Maintain a nonjudgmental attitude to
avoid causing the client to feel guilty. Smoking history includes the use of
cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, marijuana, and other controlled
substances. Because the client may have guilt or denial about this habit,
assume a nonjudgmental attitude during the interview. This will encourage
the client to be honest about the exposure. Pack-years= number of packs
smoked daily x number of years the client has smoked. Quitting may not
stop cancer development, don't give false hope.
A nurse assesses a client after a thoracentesis. Which assessment finding
warrants immediate action? a. The client rates pain as a 5/10 at the site of
the procedure.
, b. A small amount of drainage from the site is noted.
c. Pulse oximetry is 93% on 2 liters of oxygen.
d. The trachea is deviated toward the opposite side of the neck. -
CORRECT ANSWER-The trachea is deviated toward the opposite side of
the neck. A deviated trachea is a manifestation of a tension pneumothorax,
which is a medical emergency. The other findings are normal or near
normal.
A nurse cares for a client who had a bronchoscopy 2 hours ago. The client
asks for a drink of water. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Call the physician and request a prescription for food and water.
b. Provide the client with ice chips instead of a drink of water.
c. Assess the clients gag reflex before giving any food or water.
d. Let the client have a small sip to see whether he or she can swallow. -
CORRECT ANSWER-Assess the clients gag reflex before giving any food
or water. The topical anesthetic used during the procedure will have
affected the clients gag reflex. Before allowing the client anything to eat or
drink, the nurse must check for the return of this reflex.
A nurse plans care for a client who is experiencing dyspnea and must stop
multiple times when climbing a flight of stairs. Which intervention should the
nurse include in this clients plan of care?
a. Assistance with activities of daily living
b. Physical therapy activities every day
c. Oxygen therapy at 2 liters per nasal cannula
d. Complete bedrest with frequent repositioning - CORRECT ANSWER-
Assistance with activities of daily living.
