NUR 109 Respiratory Exam With Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 Updated.
A patient demonstrates labored, shallow respirations and a
respiratory rate of 32/min with a pulse oximetry reading of 85%. What
is the priority nursing intervention?
a. Provide the patient with a breathing treatment
b. Obtain an order for a stat arterial blood gases (ABG)
c. Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercises.
d. Start oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min - ANSWER d. Start
oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min
While assessing a client who has facial trauma, the nurse notes clear
fluid from the nasal passages. Which action would be a priority for
the nurse?
a. Test present drainage for glucose
b. Ask the patient if they have had a recent cold
c. Ask patient to produce a sputum specimen for collection
d. Provide the patient with a tissue to remove the mucous from their
nose. - ANSWER a. Test present drainage for glucose
A patient's pulse oximetry reading is 89%. What is the nurse's first
action?
a. Assess the patient for respiratory distress and recheck the
oximeter reading.
b. Apply oxygen
c. Assess the patient for cyanosis
d. Place the patient in High-Fowler's position - ANSWER a. Assess
,the patient for respiratory distress and recheck the oximeter
reading.
The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple fractures to the jaw
that had to be immobilized in order to heal. What priority intervention
does the nurse implement to prevent aspiration of emesis?
a. Place a pair of wire cutters at the bedside
b. Place the patient in the left lateral position
c. Provide the patient with a Sprite to calm the stomach
d. Place an NG tube to decompress the stomach - ANSWER a.
Place a pair of wire cutters at the bedside
The nurse has just received a patient from the recovery room who is
somewhat drowsy, but capable of following instructions. Pulse
oximetry has dropped from 95% to 90%. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
a. Have the patient perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises
then reassess.
b. Withhold narcotic pain medication to reduce sedation effects.
c. Administer naloxone (Narcan) to reverse narcotic sedation effect.
d. Administer 2L/min by nasal cannula then reassess - ANSWER a.
Have the patient perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises
then reassess.
The nurse is caring for an older adult who uses a wheelchair and
spends over half of each day in bed. Which intervention is most
important in promoting pulmonary care?
a. Encouraging the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe
b. Reassuring the patient that immobility is temporary.
c. Monitoring the patient's respiratory rate.
,d. Obtaining an order for PRN (as-needed) oxygen via nasal cannula -
ANSWER a. Encouraging the patient to turn, cough, and deep
breathe
A nurse assesses a 66-year-old client who is wants to quit smoking.
The client states, "I started smoking at age 16, and have smoked half
a pack each day ever since." How many pack-years should the nurse
document for this client?
(Record your answer using a whole number.) - ANSWER 25
Which statement made by the student nurse indicates a further need
for understanding concerning pulmonary function tests (PFTs)?
a. "Pulmonary function tests will help your doctor distinguish
between airway disease and restrictive lung disease."
b. "I should instruct my patient not to smoke at least six hours prior to
the test."
c. "I should give my patient a bronchodilator medication before the
test."
d. "Pulmonary function tests will measure a patient's inhaled lung
volumes and residuals after exhale." - ANSWER c. "I should give
my patient a bronchodilator medication before the test."
A patient has undergone a nasoseptoplasty. Upon discharge the
nurse provides self-care education. Which of the following should the
nurse include?
a. Stay in the left-lateral position
b. Apply cold compresses to the nose and eye areas as needed
c. Blow the nose daily to remove any excess secretions
d. Take NSAIDS every 4 hours as needed for pain - ANSWER b.
Apply cold compresses to the nose and eye areas as needed
The patient is currently receiving 40% oxygen via a nasal cannula.
, The patient's 02 saturation is 87%. What action should the nurse plan
to do first?
a. Place the patient on a aerosol mask at 5L/min
b. Place the patient on a simple facemask at 8L/min
c. Place the patient on a Venturi mask at 6L/min
d. Reposition the patient from Semi-Fowler's to High-Fowler's
position - ANSWER b. Place the patient on a simple facemask at
8L/min
The nurse is placing a nonrebreather mask on her patient
experiencing respiratory distress. Which of the following should be
the priority for the nurse?
a. Turning the humidifier is turned on.
b. Ensuring the oxygen regulator is set to deliver 4L/min
c. Ensuring the reservoir bag on the mask is fully inflated.
d. Ensuring there is adequate space between the mask and the
patient's face - ANSWER c. Ensuring the reservoir bag on the
mask is fully inflated.
After being treated in the emergency department for a posterior
nosebleed, the patient is admitted to the hospital. The nasal packing
is in place and vital signs are stable. The patient has an IV with
normal saline at 125 ml/hr. What is the priority for the nursing care?
a. Airway management
b. Managing potential decreased cardiac output
c. Managing potential dehydration
d. Monitoring for potential infection - ANSWER a. Airway
management
A patient with a tracheostomy is unable to speak. He is not in acute
Answers 2026/2027 Updated.
A patient demonstrates labored, shallow respirations and a
respiratory rate of 32/min with a pulse oximetry reading of 85%. What
is the priority nursing intervention?
a. Provide the patient with a breathing treatment
b. Obtain an order for a stat arterial blood gases (ABG)
c. Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercises.
d. Start oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min - ANSWER d. Start
oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min
While assessing a client who has facial trauma, the nurse notes clear
fluid from the nasal passages. Which action would be a priority for
the nurse?
a. Test present drainage for glucose
b. Ask the patient if they have had a recent cold
c. Ask patient to produce a sputum specimen for collection
d. Provide the patient with a tissue to remove the mucous from their
nose. - ANSWER a. Test present drainage for glucose
A patient's pulse oximetry reading is 89%. What is the nurse's first
action?
a. Assess the patient for respiratory distress and recheck the
oximeter reading.
b. Apply oxygen
c. Assess the patient for cyanosis
d. Place the patient in High-Fowler's position - ANSWER a. Assess
,the patient for respiratory distress and recheck the oximeter
reading.
The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple fractures to the jaw
that had to be immobilized in order to heal. What priority intervention
does the nurse implement to prevent aspiration of emesis?
a. Place a pair of wire cutters at the bedside
b. Place the patient in the left lateral position
c. Provide the patient with a Sprite to calm the stomach
d. Place an NG tube to decompress the stomach - ANSWER a.
Place a pair of wire cutters at the bedside
The nurse has just received a patient from the recovery room who is
somewhat drowsy, but capable of following instructions. Pulse
oximetry has dropped from 95% to 90%. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
a. Have the patient perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises
then reassess.
b. Withhold narcotic pain medication to reduce sedation effects.
c. Administer naloxone (Narcan) to reverse narcotic sedation effect.
d. Administer 2L/min by nasal cannula then reassess - ANSWER a.
Have the patient perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises
then reassess.
The nurse is caring for an older adult who uses a wheelchair and
spends over half of each day in bed. Which intervention is most
important in promoting pulmonary care?
a. Encouraging the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe
b. Reassuring the patient that immobility is temporary.
c. Monitoring the patient's respiratory rate.
,d. Obtaining an order for PRN (as-needed) oxygen via nasal cannula -
ANSWER a. Encouraging the patient to turn, cough, and deep
breathe
A nurse assesses a 66-year-old client who is wants to quit smoking.
The client states, "I started smoking at age 16, and have smoked half
a pack each day ever since." How many pack-years should the nurse
document for this client?
(Record your answer using a whole number.) - ANSWER 25
Which statement made by the student nurse indicates a further need
for understanding concerning pulmonary function tests (PFTs)?
a. "Pulmonary function tests will help your doctor distinguish
between airway disease and restrictive lung disease."
b. "I should instruct my patient not to smoke at least six hours prior to
the test."
c. "I should give my patient a bronchodilator medication before the
test."
d. "Pulmonary function tests will measure a patient's inhaled lung
volumes and residuals after exhale." - ANSWER c. "I should give
my patient a bronchodilator medication before the test."
A patient has undergone a nasoseptoplasty. Upon discharge the
nurse provides self-care education. Which of the following should the
nurse include?
a. Stay in the left-lateral position
b. Apply cold compresses to the nose and eye areas as needed
c. Blow the nose daily to remove any excess secretions
d. Take NSAIDS every 4 hours as needed for pain - ANSWER b.
Apply cold compresses to the nose and eye areas as needed
The patient is currently receiving 40% oxygen via a nasal cannula.
, The patient's 02 saturation is 87%. What action should the nurse plan
to do first?
a. Place the patient on a aerosol mask at 5L/min
b. Place the patient on a simple facemask at 8L/min
c. Place the patient on a Venturi mask at 6L/min
d. Reposition the patient from Semi-Fowler's to High-Fowler's
position - ANSWER b. Place the patient on a simple facemask at
8L/min
The nurse is placing a nonrebreather mask on her patient
experiencing respiratory distress. Which of the following should be
the priority for the nurse?
a. Turning the humidifier is turned on.
b. Ensuring the oxygen regulator is set to deliver 4L/min
c. Ensuring the reservoir bag on the mask is fully inflated.
d. Ensuring there is adequate space between the mask and the
patient's face - ANSWER c. Ensuring the reservoir bag on the
mask is fully inflated.
After being treated in the emergency department for a posterior
nosebleed, the patient is admitted to the hospital. The nasal packing
is in place and vital signs are stable. The patient has an IV with
normal saline at 125 ml/hr. What is the priority for the nursing care?
a. Airway management
b. Managing potential decreased cardiac output
c. Managing potential dehydration
d. Monitoring for potential infection - ANSWER a. Airway
management
A patient with a tracheostomy is unable to speak. He is not in acute
