P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
ATI Med Surg Exam 2
Alterations in Respiratory
Health Questions &
Answers Detailed
2026/2027 Edition
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 127 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 127 detailed questions and answers covering alterations in
respiratory health. Each question includes a thorough rationale explaining the correct
answer, making it an excellent resource for students studying medical-surgical nursing. It is
ideal for in-depth review and comprehensive preparation for certification exams.
TOPICS
• Respiratory Physiology & Assessment • Respiratory Nursing Interventions
• Upper Airway Alterations • Lower Airway & Infections
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis • Pleural Effusion
• Asthma • COPD
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 127
High carbon dioxide
RESPONSE
Hypoventilating
•confusion, headache, anxiety, restlessness, unconsciousness/narcosis
RATIONALE
Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood result from inadequate alveolar ventilation, leading to
respiratory acidosis. This impaired gas exchange causes cerebral vasoconstriction and
neurological symptoms such as confusion, headache, and restlessness due to central nervous
system depression.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 127
Low carbon dioxide
RESPONSE
Hyperventilating
•dizziness, feeling light headed, muscle twitching/spasm, numbness (face/lips), n/v
RATIONALE
Rapid breathing causes excessive exhalation of carbon dioxide, leading to respiratory alkalosis.
This state results in physiological effects such as cerebral vasoconstriction causing dizziness, and
electrolyte shifts that can manifest as paresthesias and muscle spasms. Nausea and vomiting can
also occur secondary to these systemic changes.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 127
Factors that affect pulmonary function
Page 2
, RESPONSE
Affect ventilation, gas exchange, or gas transport
Pulmonary system abnormalities
•inflammation, obstruction, collapsed alveoli
Pulmonary circulation
•PE, pulmonary hypertension
Neuromuscular abnormalities
•ALS, Guillian Barre, CNS injury
RATIONALE
Pulmonary function is impacted by disruptions affecting ventilation, gas exchange, or gas
transport. These disruptions can stem from pulmonary system issues like inflammation or
collapsed alveoli, abnormalities in pulmonary circulation such as pulmonary embolism, or
neuromuscular disorders that impair breathing mechanics.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 127
Factors that affect oxygenation
RESPONSE
•Lifestyle
•Environment
•Stress
•Medications
RATIONALE
Oxygenation is a complex process influenced by various internal and external factors. Lifestyle
choices, such as smoking or activity levels, directly impact lung function. Environmental conditions,
like air quality and altitude, alter oxygen availability, while physiological stressors and certain
medications can affect respiratory drive or gas exchange efficiency.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 127
Alterations in Oxygenation: pulmonary/lung components
Page 3
, RESPONSE
•Structural abnormalities
•Airway inflammation/obstruction
•Infection
•Alveolar-capillary membrane disorders
•Atelectasis
•Pulmonary embolus
•Pulmonary hypertension
RATIONALE
Alterations in respiratory health stem from various dysfunctions affecting oxygenation. These
include physical impediments to airflow, inflammation within the airways, pathological processes
like infection, and disruptions to the gas exchange surface. Conditions such as collapsed alveoli,
blood clots in the lungs, and elevated pulmonary artery pressure also significantly impair the
respiratory system's ability to oxygenate blood.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 127
Alterations in oxygenation: cardiovascular perfusion components
RESPONSE
•Heart failure
•Cardiomyopathy
•Cardiac ischemia: MI, angina
•Dysrhythmias
•Valve abnormalities
•Anemia
•CO poisoning
•Peripheral circulation
RATIONALE
Effective oxygenation relies on adequate cardiovascular perfusion to transport oxygenated blood
to tissues. Conditions impacting the heart's pumping ability, myocardial oxygen supply, or blood's
oxygen-carrying capacity directly impair this process. Additionally, issues with peripheral
circulation prevent oxygenated blood from reaching its destination.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 127
Alteration in oxygen nursing assessments
Page 4
ATI Med Surg Exam 2
Alterations in Respiratory
Health Questions &
Answers Detailed
2026/2027 Edition
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 127 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 127 detailed questions and answers covering alterations in
respiratory health. Each question includes a thorough rationale explaining the correct
answer, making it an excellent resource for students studying medical-surgical nursing. It is
ideal for in-depth review and comprehensive preparation for certification exams.
TOPICS
• Respiratory Physiology & Assessment • Respiratory Nursing Interventions
• Upper Airway Alterations • Lower Airway & Infections
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis • Pleural Effusion
• Asthma • COPD
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 127
High carbon dioxide
RESPONSE
Hypoventilating
•confusion, headache, anxiety, restlessness, unconsciousness/narcosis
RATIONALE
Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood result from inadequate alveolar ventilation, leading to
respiratory acidosis. This impaired gas exchange causes cerebral vasoconstriction and
neurological symptoms such as confusion, headache, and restlessness due to central nervous
system depression.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 127
Low carbon dioxide
RESPONSE
Hyperventilating
•dizziness, feeling light headed, muscle twitching/spasm, numbness (face/lips), n/v
RATIONALE
Rapid breathing causes excessive exhalation of carbon dioxide, leading to respiratory alkalosis.
This state results in physiological effects such as cerebral vasoconstriction causing dizziness, and
electrolyte shifts that can manifest as paresthesias and muscle spasms. Nausea and vomiting can
also occur secondary to these systemic changes.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 127
Factors that affect pulmonary function
Page 2
, RESPONSE
Affect ventilation, gas exchange, or gas transport
Pulmonary system abnormalities
•inflammation, obstruction, collapsed alveoli
Pulmonary circulation
•PE, pulmonary hypertension
Neuromuscular abnormalities
•ALS, Guillian Barre, CNS injury
RATIONALE
Pulmonary function is impacted by disruptions affecting ventilation, gas exchange, or gas
transport. These disruptions can stem from pulmonary system issues like inflammation or
collapsed alveoli, abnormalities in pulmonary circulation such as pulmonary embolism, or
neuromuscular disorders that impair breathing mechanics.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 127
Factors that affect oxygenation
RESPONSE
•Lifestyle
•Environment
•Stress
•Medications
RATIONALE
Oxygenation is a complex process influenced by various internal and external factors. Lifestyle
choices, such as smoking or activity levels, directly impact lung function. Environmental conditions,
like air quality and altitude, alter oxygen availability, while physiological stressors and certain
medications can affect respiratory drive or gas exchange efficiency.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 127
Alterations in Oxygenation: pulmonary/lung components
Page 3
, RESPONSE
•Structural abnormalities
•Airway inflammation/obstruction
•Infection
•Alveolar-capillary membrane disorders
•Atelectasis
•Pulmonary embolus
•Pulmonary hypertension
RATIONALE
Alterations in respiratory health stem from various dysfunctions affecting oxygenation. These
include physical impediments to airflow, inflammation within the airways, pathological processes
like infection, and disruptions to the gas exchange surface. Conditions such as collapsed alveoli,
blood clots in the lungs, and elevated pulmonary artery pressure also significantly impair the
respiratory system's ability to oxygenate blood.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 127
Alterations in oxygenation: cardiovascular perfusion components
RESPONSE
•Heart failure
•Cardiomyopathy
•Cardiac ischemia: MI, angina
•Dysrhythmias
•Valve abnormalities
•Anemia
•CO poisoning
•Peripheral circulation
RATIONALE
Effective oxygenation relies on adequate cardiovascular perfusion to transport oxygenated blood
to tissues. Conditions impacting the heart's pumping ability, myocardial oxygen supply, or blood's
oxygen-carrying capacity directly impair this process. Additionally, issues with peripheral
circulation prevent oxygenated blood from reaching its destination.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 127
Alteration in oxygen nursing assessments
Page 4
