NURS 272 FINAL WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2025/2026
*RESPIRATORY SYSTEM* - correct-answers-B&S CH 20, 21, 22, 23, & 24 v v v v v v v v v v
Explain the anatomical components of the respiratory system. - correct-answers-
v v v v v v v v v
> respiratory zone muscles
v v v v
- major muscle = diaphragm
v v v v v
*controlled by the phrenic nerve (C3- v v v v v
C5 of the neck), so any pt w an injury to the spine/phrenic nerve will require ventilatory support!
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
- accessory muscles = intercostals, abdominals, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid
v v v v v v v
To move air into the lungs...respiratory muscles generate negative intrapleural pressure = allows air i
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
nflowing via the pressure gradient btwn atmospheric pressure at the mouth (zero pressure) & alveol
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ar pressure (negative pressure)
v v v v
> conduction zone muscles = trachea, bronchi & bronchioles
v v v v v v v v
- influenced by SNS' B2-adrenergic receptors (relaxation) & acetylcholine receptors (constriction)
v v v v v v v v v v v
> gas exchange surfaces = alveoli
v v v v v
-
chronic smoking & chewing tobacco = decr alveoli surface area *important to ask abt smoking histor
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
y! v
,-
atelectasis = alveoli collapse resulting from trapped air or fluid buildup (ex: pts who are bedridden *i
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
mportant to encourage mobility & coughing) v v v v v
What are some of the risk factors for pulmonary disease? - correct-answers-> pollution & travel
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
> 2nd hand/3rd hand smoke
v v v v
> chemical exposure
v v v
> freq respiratory infections
v v v v
> pre-existing/congenital conditions (ex: CF, chest injury, living in confined environs)
v v v v v v v v v v
What are some of the common diagnostics used to screen for respiratory disease? - correct-
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
answers-1) chest X-ray (CXR) v v v v
= 2 view X-
v v v
ray of PA (posterior & anterior) & Lateral (side) to help produce an accurate image of the pt's heart/lu
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ngs/BV/bones v
> looking for inflation of the lungs (COPD), fluid build up (pneumonia & HF), atelectasis, broken bone
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
s (ribs), heart size (cardiomyopathy = enlarged heart), foreign bodies
v v v v v v v v v
- most common! cheap & inexpensive
v v v v v v
2) CT scan (contrast)
v v v v
= uses contrast dye to produce more detailed images of soft tissue damage/injuries
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
> looking for lesions, blood clots, etc
v v v v v v v
- make sure to flush dye out to ppx kidney toxicity!
v v v v v v v v v v v
3) Pulse Oximeter
v v v
= measures SaO2
v v v
> SaO2 = amt of O2 attached to Hgb/how much O2 being perfused via the blood
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
,-
factors that influence readings = dark nail polish, long nails, acrylics, cold temp, bright lights, & anyt
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
hing that decr circulation to the finger
v v v v v v v
- pts w darker skin, will have falsely high readings even when desaturating
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
4) Pulmonary function tests
v v v
> looking for lung functioning in cases of COPD & asthma
v v v v v v v v v v
5) Sputum Culture
v v
> looking for lung infection?
v v v v v
6) ABGs v v
> looking for acid-base imbalances? & desaturation?
v v v v v v v
7) Bronchoscopy/Thoracoscopy
v v
= uses endoscopy to view respiratory structures
v v v v v v v
> collecting biopsies & cultures
v v v v v
- broncho (via mouth) & thoraco (via chest tube)
v v v v v v v v
- performed in ICU or OR w minimal sedation
v v v v v v v v v
8) Thoracentesis
v v
> pulling fluid build up in pleural lining off
v v v v v v v v v
- important to assess baseline coagulation (order sets) to ppx excessive post-op bleeding
v v v v v v v v v v v v
9) V/Q Scan v v v
= looks at ventilation (pt uses inhaler) vs. perfusion (radioactive substance is injected into blood)
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
> detecting PE = indicated by altered V/Q
v v v v v v v
, - no longer commonly used
v v v v v
10) Mantoux test
v v v
= ID injection
v v v
> testing for TB
v v v
What are the various components of a respiratory assessment? - correct-answers-
v v v v v v v v v v
1) lung sounds = use systematic approach! (ex: R > L moving down)
v v v v v v v v v v v v
- clear? bilateral?
v v v
2) breathing patterns = rate & quality
v v v v v v v
- tachypnea? dyspnea? SOB?
v v v v
- difficulty breathing? shallow?
v v v v
3) O2 saturation = 95-99% expected
v v v v v v
4) accessory muscle usage = indicates acute respiratory distress
v v v v v v v v
5) hypoxia S/Sx
v v v
- early.= restlessness, anxiety, confusion, <95% SaO2
v v v v v v v
- compensation = tachypnea, tachycardia, SOB
v v v v v
- later = bradypnea, bradycardia, hypotension, decr LOC, cyanosis, & pallor
v v v v v v v v v v v
6) Crepitus (SQ emphysema) = air trapped in/under the skin
v v v v v v v v v v
- caused by chest injury, blunt force trauma, etc...
v v v v v v v v
- palpable as rice krispies under the skin
v v v v v v v v
7) percussion = using 2 fingers tapping on 2 fingers
v v v v v v v v v v
- good for assessing w limited resources
v v v v v v
- dull sound (compromised lung) vs. resonate sound (healthy lung)
v v v v v v v v v
ANSWERS 2025/2026
*RESPIRATORY SYSTEM* - correct-answers-B&S CH 20, 21, 22, 23, & 24 v v v v v v v v v v
Explain the anatomical components of the respiratory system. - correct-answers-
v v v v v v v v v
> respiratory zone muscles
v v v v
- major muscle = diaphragm
v v v v v
*controlled by the phrenic nerve (C3- v v v v v
C5 of the neck), so any pt w an injury to the spine/phrenic nerve will require ventilatory support!
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
- accessory muscles = intercostals, abdominals, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid
v v v v v v v
To move air into the lungs...respiratory muscles generate negative intrapleural pressure = allows air i
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
nflowing via the pressure gradient btwn atmospheric pressure at the mouth (zero pressure) & alveol
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ar pressure (negative pressure)
v v v v
> conduction zone muscles = trachea, bronchi & bronchioles
v v v v v v v v
- influenced by SNS' B2-adrenergic receptors (relaxation) & acetylcholine receptors (constriction)
v v v v v v v v v v v
> gas exchange surfaces = alveoli
v v v v v
-
chronic smoking & chewing tobacco = decr alveoli surface area *important to ask abt smoking histor
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
y! v
,-
atelectasis = alveoli collapse resulting from trapped air or fluid buildup (ex: pts who are bedridden *i
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
mportant to encourage mobility & coughing) v v v v v
What are some of the risk factors for pulmonary disease? - correct-answers-> pollution & travel
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
> 2nd hand/3rd hand smoke
v v v v
> chemical exposure
v v v
> freq respiratory infections
v v v v
> pre-existing/congenital conditions (ex: CF, chest injury, living in confined environs)
v v v v v v v v v v
What are some of the common diagnostics used to screen for respiratory disease? - correct-
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
answers-1) chest X-ray (CXR) v v v v
= 2 view X-
v v v
ray of PA (posterior & anterior) & Lateral (side) to help produce an accurate image of the pt's heart/lu
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
ngs/BV/bones v
> looking for inflation of the lungs (COPD), fluid build up (pneumonia & HF), atelectasis, broken bone
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
s (ribs), heart size (cardiomyopathy = enlarged heart), foreign bodies
v v v v v v v v v
- most common! cheap & inexpensive
v v v v v v
2) CT scan (contrast)
v v v v
= uses contrast dye to produce more detailed images of soft tissue damage/injuries
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
> looking for lesions, blood clots, etc
v v v v v v v
- make sure to flush dye out to ppx kidney toxicity!
v v v v v v v v v v v
3) Pulse Oximeter
v v v
= measures SaO2
v v v
> SaO2 = amt of O2 attached to Hgb/how much O2 being perfused via the blood
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
,-
factors that influence readings = dark nail polish, long nails, acrylics, cold temp, bright lights, & anyt
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
hing that decr circulation to the finger
v v v v v v v
- pts w darker skin, will have falsely high readings even when desaturating
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
4) Pulmonary function tests
v v v
> looking for lung functioning in cases of COPD & asthma
v v v v v v v v v v
5) Sputum Culture
v v
> looking for lung infection?
v v v v v
6) ABGs v v
> looking for acid-base imbalances? & desaturation?
v v v v v v v
7) Bronchoscopy/Thoracoscopy
v v
= uses endoscopy to view respiratory structures
v v v v v v v
> collecting biopsies & cultures
v v v v v
- broncho (via mouth) & thoraco (via chest tube)
v v v v v v v v
- performed in ICU or OR w minimal sedation
v v v v v v v v v
8) Thoracentesis
v v
> pulling fluid build up in pleural lining off
v v v v v v v v v
- important to assess baseline coagulation (order sets) to ppx excessive post-op bleeding
v v v v v v v v v v v v
9) V/Q Scan v v v
= looks at ventilation (pt uses inhaler) vs. perfusion (radioactive substance is injected into blood)
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
> detecting PE = indicated by altered V/Q
v v v v v v v
, - no longer commonly used
v v v v v
10) Mantoux test
v v v
= ID injection
v v v
> testing for TB
v v v
What are the various components of a respiratory assessment? - correct-answers-
v v v v v v v v v v
1) lung sounds = use systematic approach! (ex: R > L moving down)
v v v v v v v v v v v v
- clear? bilateral?
v v v
2) breathing patterns = rate & quality
v v v v v v v
- tachypnea? dyspnea? SOB?
v v v v
- difficulty breathing? shallow?
v v v v
3) O2 saturation = 95-99% expected
v v v v v v
4) accessory muscle usage = indicates acute respiratory distress
v v v v v v v v
5) hypoxia S/Sx
v v v
- early.= restlessness, anxiety, confusion, <95% SaO2
v v v v v v v
- compensation = tachypnea, tachycardia, SOB
v v v v v
- later = bradypnea, bradycardia, hypotension, decr LOC, cyanosis, & pallor
v v v v v v v v v v v
6) Crepitus (SQ emphysema) = air trapped in/under the skin
v v v v v v v v v v
- caused by chest injury, blunt force trauma, etc...
v v v v v v v v
- palpable as rice krispies under the skin
v v v v v v v v
7) percussion = using 2 fingers tapping on 2 fingers
v v v v v v v v v v
- good for assessing w limited resources
v v v v v v
- dull sound (compromised lung) vs. resonate sound (healthy lung)
v v v v v v v v v
