## 📘 Oxygenation and Respiratory Care
– The Ultimate Nursing Study Guide for
2025/2026: Complete NCLEX-Style
Practice Questions for Student Success
📘
---
1. A patient with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The provider orders oxygen at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. Which outcome is the goal for this patient?
A) SpO2 above 92%
B) SpO2 between 88% and 92%
C) SpO2 above 95%
D) SpO2 between 85% and 88%
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: For patients with COPD, the target SpO2 is typically 88-92% to avoid suppressing
the hypoxic drive. This nursing exam prep question is essential for understanding safe oxygen
administration in respiratory nursing.
2. A patient with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. The nurse administers albuterol via
nebulizer. Which finding indicates the treatment is effective?
,A) Decreased wheezing and improved air movement
B) Increased respiratory rate from 24 to 30 breaths/min
C) Use of accessory muscles
D) Oxygen saturation of 88%
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Decreased wheezing and improved air movement indicate bronchodilation and
effective treatment. This nursing study guide question is vital for respiratory pharmacology.
3. A patient with pneumonia has a productive cough with greenish sputum. Which nursing diagnosis is
the priority?
A) Ineffective Airway Clearance
B) Impaired Gas Exchange
C) Risk for Infection
D) Activity Intolerance
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Ineffective Airway Clearance is the priority because the patient has a productive
cough, indicating mucus accumulation that may obstruct the airway. These practice questions for
nursing exam prep emphasize prioritization.
4. A patient is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Which finding indicates the patient is
experiencing oxygen toxicity?
A) Increased respiratory rate
B) Cough and chest pain
C) Hypoxia
D) Bradycardia
, 💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Oxygen toxicity can cause cough, chest pain, and dyspnea. This nursing exam
prep question is essential for monitoring oxygen therapy.
5. A patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. The nurse notes that the high-pressure alarm is
sounding. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Suction the patient
B) Assess the patient's airway
C) Check the ventilator settings
D) Notify the healthcare provider
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The priority is to assess the patient's airway to ensure patency. This nursing
study guide question is vital for critical care nursing.
6. A patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. The nurse notes that the low-pressure alarm is sounding.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Assess the patient's airway
B) Check the ventilator connections
C) Suction the patient
D) Notify the healthcare provider
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A low-pressure alarm indicates a disconnection or leak; the connections should
be checked. These practice questions are essential for nursing exam prep on mechanical ventilation.
– The Ultimate Nursing Study Guide for
2025/2026: Complete NCLEX-Style
Practice Questions for Student Success
📘
---
1. A patient with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The provider orders oxygen at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. Which outcome is the goal for this patient?
A) SpO2 above 92%
B) SpO2 between 88% and 92%
C) SpO2 above 95%
D) SpO2 between 85% and 88%
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: For patients with COPD, the target SpO2 is typically 88-92% to avoid suppressing
the hypoxic drive. This nursing exam prep question is essential for understanding safe oxygen
administration in respiratory nursing.
2. A patient with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. The nurse administers albuterol via
nebulizer. Which finding indicates the treatment is effective?
,A) Decreased wheezing and improved air movement
B) Increased respiratory rate from 24 to 30 breaths/min
C) Use of accessory muscles
D) Oxygen saturation of 88%
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Decreased wheezing and improved air movement indicate bronchodilation and
effective treatment. This nursing study guide question is vital for respiratory pharmacology.
3. A patient with pneumonia has a productive cough with greenish sputum. Which nursing diagnosis is
the priority?
A) Ineffective Airway Clearance
B) Impaired Gas Exchange
C) Risk for Infection
D) Activity Intolerance
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Ineffective Airway Clearance is the priority because the patient has a productive
cough, indicating mucus accumulation that may obstruct the airway. These practice questions for
nursing exam prep emphasize prioritization.
4. A patient is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Which finding indicates the patient is
experiencing oxygen toxicity?
A) Increased respiratory rate
B) Cough and chest pain
C) Hypoxia
D) Bradycardia
, 💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Oxygen toxicity can cause cough, chest pain, and dyspnea. This nursing exam
prep question is essential for monitoring oxygen therapy.
5. A patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. The nurse notes that the high-pressure alarm is
sounding. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Suction the patient
B) Assess the patient's airway
C) Check the ventilator settings
D) Notify the healthcare provider
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The priority is to assess the patient's airway to ensure patency. This nursing
study guide question is vital for critical care nursing.
6. A patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. The nurse notes that the low-pressure alarm is sounding.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Assess the patient's airway
B) Check the ventilator connections
C) Suction the patient
D) Notify the healthcare provider
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A low-pressure alarm indicates a disconnection or leak; the connections should
be checked. These practice questions are essential for nursing exam prep on mechanical ventilation.
