CHAPTER 25 ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
STUDY GUIDE // A+ GRADED PRESENTATION // RESPIRATORY
ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY DIAGNOSTICS CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND PATIENT CARE
PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT MASTERY // ACADEMIC YEAR
2025/2026
A 92-year old female patient is being admitted to the emergency
department with severe shortness of breath. Being aware of the patient's
condition, what approach should the nurse use to assess the patient's
lungs (select all that apply)?
a. Apex to base
b. Base to apex
c. Lateral sequence
d. Anterior then posterior
e. Posterior then anterior - CORRECT ANSWER-b,e
Base to apex
Posterior then anterior
What keeps alveoli from collapsing?
a. Carina
b. Surfactant
c. Empyema
d. Thoracic cage - CORRECT ANSWER-b. Surfactant
, What accurately describes the alveolar sacs?
a. Line the lung pleura
b. Warm and moisturize inhaled air
c. Terminal structures of the respiratory tract
d. Contain dead air that is not available for gas exchange - CORRECT
ANSWER-c. Terminal structures of the respiratory tract
A pulse oximetry monitor indicates that the patient has to drop in SpO2
from 95% to 85% over several hours. What is the first action the nurse
should take?
a. Order stat ABG's to confirm the SpO2 with a SaO2
b. Start oxygen administration by nasal cannula at 2L/min
c. Check the position of the price on the finger or earlobe
d. Notify the health care provider of the change in baseline PaO2 -
CORRECT ANSWER-c. Check the position of the price on the finger or
earlobe
Pulse oximetry may not be a reliable indicator of oxygen saturation in which
patient?
STUDY GUIDE // A+ GRADED PRESENTATION // RESPIRATORY
ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY DIAGNOSTICS CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND PATIENT CARE
PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT MASTERY // ACADEMIC YEAR
2025/2026
A 92-year old female patient is being admitted to the emergency
department with severe shortness of breath. Being aware of the patient's
condition, what approach should the nurse use to assess the patient's
lungs (select all that apply)?
a. Apex to base
b. Base to apex
c. Lateral sequence
d. Anterior then posterior
e. Posterior then anterior - CORRECT ANSWER-b,e
Base to apex
Posterior then anterior
What keeps alveoli from collapsing?
a. Carina
b. Surfactant
c. Empyema
d. Thoracic cage - CORRECT ANSWER-b. Surfactant
, What accurately describes the alveolar sacs?
a. Line the lung pleura
b. Warm and moisturize inhaled air
c. Terminal structures of the respiratory tract
d. Contain dead air that is not available for gas exchange - CORRECT
ANSWER-c. Terminal structures of the respiratory tract
A pulse oximetry monitor indicates that the patient has to drop in SpO2
from 95% to 85% over several hours. What is the first action the nurse
should take?
a. Order stat ABG's to confirm the SpO2 with a SaO2
b. Start oxygen administration by nasal cannula at 2L/min
c. Check the position of the price on the finger or earlobe
d. Notify the health care provider of the change in baseline PaO2 -
CORRECT ANSWER-c. Check the position of the price on the finger or
earlobe
Pulse oximetry may not be a reliable indicator of oxygen saturation in which
patient?