GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE SOLUTION
◉ Prior to starting intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB)
on a new patient, what should the practitioner explain?
1. Why the physician ordered the treatment.
2. What the IPPB treatment will do.
3. How the IPPB treatment will feel.
4. What the expected results are. Answer: 1. Why the physician
ordered the treatment.
2. What the IPPB treatment will do.
3. How the IPPB treatment will feel.
4. What the expected results are.
◉ A surgeon orders lung expansion therapy for an obtunded 68-
year-old, 170-lb man who has developed atelectasis after thoracic
surgery. On baseline assessment, the patient cannot perform an IC or
VC maneuver, but has no evidence of retained secretions. Which of
the following would you recommend? Answer: Intermittent positive-
pressure breathing (IPPB) at 6 to 8 breaths/min
◉ In observing a postoperative woman conduct incentive
spirometry, you note repetitive performance of the sustained
maximal inspiration maneuver at a rate of approximately 10 to
,12/min. Which of the following would you recommend to her?
Answer: Take a 30-sec rest period between breaths.
◉ Which of the following clinical findings indicate the development
of atelectasis?
1. Opacified areas on the chest x-ray film
2. Inspiratory and expiratory wheezing
3. Tachypnea
4. Diminished or bronchial breath sounds Answer: 1. Opacified areas
on the chest x-ray film
3. Tachypnea
4. Diminished or bronchial breath sounds
◉ When checking a patient's intermittent positive-pressure
breathing (IPPB) circuit before use, you notice that the device will
not cycle off, even when you occlude the mouthpiece. What would be
the most appropriate action in this case? Answer: Check the circuit
for leaks.
◉ Ideally, when should high-risk surgical patients be oriented to
incentive spirometry? Answer: Preoperatively, before undergoing
the surgical procedure
, ◉ What is the major contributing factor in the development of
postoperative atelectasis? Answer: Repetitive, shallow breathing
◉ Persistent breathing at small tidal volumes typically results in
which of the following? Answer: Compression atelectasis
◉ What is the most common complication associated with
intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB)? Answer:
Respiratory alkalosis
◉ Which of the following are the hazards and complications of
incentive spirometry?
1. Hyperventilation
2. Fatigue
3. Discomfort secondary to inadequate pain control
4. Barotrauma Answer: 1. Hyperventilation
2. Fatigue
3. Discomfort secondary to inadequate pain control
4. Barotrauma
◉ Which of the outcomes would indicate improvement in a patient
previously diagnosed with atelectasis who has been receiving
incentive spirometry?
1. Improved PaO2