https://www.stuvia.com/user/profgoodluck
ATI Med-Surg Respiratory Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Verified Questions
& Answers | 100% Correct
Question:
A nurse is planning care for a client who has asthma. Which of the following medications should
the nurse plan to administer during an acute asthma attack?
A. Cromolyn sodium
B. Prednisone
C. Fluticasone/salmeterol
D. Albuterol
Answer
D. Albuterol
Question:
A nurse is preparing a client for discharge following a bronchoscopy with the use of moderate
sedation. The nurse should identify that which of the following assessments is the priority.
A. Presence of gag reflex
B. Pain level of 0/10
C. Hydration status
D. Appearance of the IV insertion site
Answer
A. Presence of gag reflex
Question:
A nurse receives prescriptions from the provider for performing nasopharyngeal suctioning on
four clients. For which of the clients should the nurse clarify the provider's prescription?
A. A client who has epistaxis
B. A client who has amytrophic lateral sclerosis
C. A client who has pneumonia
D. A client who has emphysema
Answer
A. A client who has epistaxis
,Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who has bacterial pneumonia. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased fremitus
B. SaO2 95% on room air
C. Temperature 38.8C or 101.8F
D. Bradypnea
Answer
C. Temperature of 38.8C or (101.8F)
Question:
A charge nurse is reviewing the care of a client who has a chest tube connected to a water seal
drainage system in place following thoracic surgery with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the
following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of when to notify
the provider?
A. "I will notify the provider if there is a fluctuation of drainage in the tubing with inspiration."
B. "I will notify the provider if there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber."
C. "I will notify the provider if there is drainage of 60 milliliters in the first hour after surgery."
D. "I will notify the provider if there are several small, dark-red clots in the tubing."
Answer
B. "I will notify the provider if there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber."
Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is postop and has a respiratory rate of 9/min secondary to
general anesthesia effects and incisional pain. Which of the following ABG values indicate the
client is experiencing respiratory acidosis?
A. PH 7.50, PO2 95mm Hg, PaCo2 25mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
B. PH 7.50, PO2 87mm Hg, PaCo2 35mm Hg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L
C. PH 7.30, PO2 90mm Hg, PaCo2 35mm Hg, HCO3- 20 mEq/L
D. PH 7.30, PO2 80mm Hg, PaCo2 55mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
Answer
D. PH 7.30, PO2 80mm Hg, PaCo2 55mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Decreased bowel sounds
B. Oxygen sat 92%
C. CO2 24 mEq/L
D. Intercostal retractions
Answer
D. Intercostal retractions
, Question:
A charge nurse is providing an in-service to a group of staff nurses about endotracheal
suctioning. Which of the following by a staff nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will use clean technique when suctioning a client's endotracheal tube."
Answer
B. "I will use a rotating motion when removing the suction catheter."
C. "I will suction the oropharyngeal cavity prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube."
D. "I will suction a client's endotracheal tube every 2 hours."
B.
Question:
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has pulmonary tuberculosis and a new
prescription for rifampin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A."Ringing in the ears is an adverse side effect of this medication."
B. "Have your skin test repeated in 4 months to show a positive result."
C. "Expect your urine and other secretions to be orange while taking this medication."
D. "Remember to take this medication with a sip of water just before your first bite of each
meal."
Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following
interventions is the nurse's priority?
A. Provide a quiet environment.
B. Encourage use of incentive spirometry every 1 to 2 hr.
C. Obtain a blood sample for electrolyte study.
Answer
D. Administer heparin via continuous IV infusion.
D.
Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who is 4 hr postop following a total laryngectomy. Which of the
following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Bleeding at the surgical site.
Answer
B. Decreased O2 sat.
C. Urinary retention
D. Increased pain level
B
Question:
A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client who has emphysema. The nurse should place the
client in which of the following positions to promote effective breathing?
A. Lateral position
Answer
B. High fowler's with arms supported on the overbed table
C. Semi-fowler's position with pillows supporting both arms
D. Supine position with the head of the bed elevated to 15degrees.
ATI Med-Surg Respiratory Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Verified Questions
& Answers | 100% Correct
Question:
A nurse is planning care for a client who has asthma. Which of the following medications should
the nurse plan to administer during an acute asthma attack?
A. Cromolyn sodium
B. Prednisone
C. Fluticasone/salmeterol
D. Albuterol
Answer
D. Albuterol
Question:
A nurse is preparing a client for discharge following a bronchoscopy with the use of moderate
sedation. The nurse should identify that which of the following assessments is the priority.
A. Presence of gag reflex
B. Pain level of 0/10
C. Hydration status
D. Appearance of the IV insertion site
Answer
A. Presence of gag reflex
Question:
A nurse receives prescriptions from the provider for performing nasopharyngeal suctioning on
four clients. For which of the clients should the nurse clarify the provider's prescription?
A. A client who has epistaxis
B. A client who has amytrophic lateral sclerosis
C. A client who has pneumonia
D. A client who has emphysema
Answer
A. A client who has epistaxis
,Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who has bacterial pneumonia. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased fremitus
B. SaO2 95% on room air
C. Temperature 38.8C or 101.8F
D. Bradypnea
Answer
C. Temperature of 38.8C or (101.8F)
Question:
A charge nurse is reviewing the care of a client who has a chest tube connected to a water seal
drainage system in place following thoracic surgery with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the
following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of when to notify
the provider?
A. "I will notify the provider if there is a fluctuation of drainage in the tubing with inspiration."
B. "I will notify the provider if there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber."
C. "I will notify the provider if there is drainage of 60 milliliters in the first hour after surgery."
D. "I will notify the provider if there are several small, dark-red clots in the tubing."
Answer
B. "I will notify the provider if there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber."
Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is postop and has a respiratory rate of 9/min secondary to
general anesthesia effects and incisional pain. Which of the following ABG values indicate the
client is experiencing respiratory acidosis?
A. PH 7.50, PO2 95mm Hg, PaCo2 25mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
B. PH 7.50, PO2 87mm Hg, PaCo2 35mm Hg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L
C. PH 7.30, PO2 90mm Hg, PaCo2 35mm Hg, HCO3- 20 mEq/L
D. PH 7.30, PO2 80mm Hg, PaCo2 55mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
Answer
D. PH 7.30, PO2 80mm Hg, PaCo2 55mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Decreased bowel sounds
B. Oxygen sat 92%
C. CO2 24 mEq/L
D. Intercostal retractions
Answer
D. Intercostal retractions
, Question:
A charge nurse is providing an in-service to a group of staff nurses about endotracheal
suctioning. Which of the following by a staff nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will use clean technique when suctioning a client's endotracheal tube."
Answer
B. "I will use a rotating motion when removing the suction catheter."
C. "I will suction the oropharyngeal cavity prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube."
D. "I will suction a client's endotracheal tube every 2 hours."
B.
Question:
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has pulmonary tuberculosis and a new
prescription for rifampin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A."Ringing in the ears is an adverse side effect of this medication."
B. "Have your skin test repeated in 4 months to show a positive result."
C. "Expect your urine and other secretions to be orange while taking this medication."
D. "Remember to take this medication with a sip of water just before your first bite of each
meal."
Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following
interventions is the nurse's priority?
A. Provide a quiet environment.
B. Encourage use of incentive spirometry every 1 to 2 hr.
C. Obtain a blood sample for electrolyte study.
Answer
D. Administer heparin via continuous IV infusion.
D.
Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who is 4 hr postop following a total laryngectomy. Which of the
following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Bleeding at the surgical site.
Answer
B. Decreased O2 sat.
C. Urinary retention
D. Increased pain level
B
Question:
A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client who has emphysema. The nurse should place the
client in which of the following positions to promote effective breathing?
A. Lateral position
Answer
B. High fowler's with arms supported on the overbed table
C. Semi-fowler's position with pillows supporting both arms
D. Supine position with the head of the bed elevated to 15degrees.