Clinical Nursing Skills Chapter 23:
Oxygen Therapy Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
A patient arrives on the nursing unit because of a sudden onset of
dyspnea. Which assessment data would the nurse expect to find?
1 A respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min
2 Cyanosis
3 Clubbing of the fingers
4 A regular breathing pattern -
correct answer ✅1
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min could be seen in a
dyspneic patient. All of the other options would be seen when
hypoxia has been present for a long period of time.
A patient with an oxygen mask with a reservoir bag is seen while
making initial rounds. Which problem might the patient experience
if the reservoir bag becomes deflated?
1 Elevated oxygen levels
2 Elevated carbon dioxide levels
3 Drying of the nasal mucous membranes
, Clinical Nursing Skills Chapter 23:
Oxygen Therapy Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
4 Decrease in the number of respirations -
correct answer ✅2
Rationale: If the reservoir is deflated, the patient can breathe large
amounts of carbon dioxide.
You are preparing to observe a patient with COPD perform
incentive spirometry exercises. With which of the following steps is
the patient likely to have difficulty?
1 Placing the mouthpiece correctly
2 Being able to hold breath for 3 seconds after inhalation
3 Being able to blow quickly into the device
4 Performing incentive spirometry three times for each reading -
correct answer ✅2
Rationale: A patient with COPD often has difficulty holding the
breath at the end of inhalation. There is no reason the patient
would not be able to hold the mouthpiece. Patients do not blow
into an incentive spirometer. Three readings are made with a peak
flow meter.
Oxygen Therapy Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
A patient arrives on the nursing unit because of a sudden onset of
dyspnea. Which assessment data would the nurse expect to find?
1 A respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min
2 Cyanosis
3 Clubbing of the fingers
4 A regular breathing pattern -
correct answer ✅1
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min could be seen in a
dyspneic patient. All of the other options would be seen when
hypoxia has been present for a long period of time.
A patient with an oxygen mask with a reservoir bag is seen while
making initial rounds. Which problem might the patient experience
if the reservoir bag becomes deflated?
1 Elevated oxygen levels
2 Elevated carbon dioxide levels
3 Drying of the nasal mucous membranes
, Clinical Nursing Skills Chapter 23:
Oxygen Therapy Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
4 Decrease in the number of respirations -
correct answer ✅2
Rationale: If the reservoir is deflated, the patient can breathe large
amounts of carbon dioxide.
You are preparing to observe a patient with COPD perform
incentive spirometry exercises. With which of the following steps is
the patient likely to have difficulty?
1 Placing the mouthpiece correctly
2 Being able to hold breath for 3 seconds after inhalation
3 Being able to blow quickly into the device
4 Performing incentive spirometry three times for each reading -
correct answer ✅2
Rationale: A patient with COPD often has difficulty holding the
breath at the end of inhalation. There is no reason the patient
would not be able to hold the mouthpiece. Patients do not blow
into an incentive spirometer. Three readings are made with a peak
flow meter.
