ASTHMA QUESTIONS NCLEX EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
The physician prescribes triamcinolone (Azmacort) and salmeterol (Serevent)
for a client with a history of asthma. What action should the nurse take when
administering these drugs?
a) Administer the triamcinolone and then administer
the salmeterol.
b) Administer the salmeterol and then administer the triamcinolone.
c) Allow the client to choose the order in which the drugs are administered.
d) Monitor the client's theophylline level before administering the medications.
--ANSWER--b) Administer the salmeterol and then administer the
triamcinolone.
The nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma attack. The client
stops wheezing and breath sounds aren't audible. This change occurred because:
a) the attack is over.
b) the airways are so swollen that no air can get through.
c) the swelling has decreased.
d) crackles have replaced wheezes. --ANSWER--b) the airways are so swollen
that no air can get through.
1
,When admitting a patient with the diagnosis of asthma exacerbation, the nurse
will assess for which of the following potential triggers? (Select all that apply.)
A. Exercise
B. Allergies
C. Emotional stress
D. Decreased humidity --ANSWER--A,B,C Although the exact mechanism of
asthma is unknown, there are several triggers that may precipitate an attack.
These include allergens, exercise, air pollutants, respiratory infections, drug and
food additives, psychologic factors, and GERD.
A nurse is working on a respiratory care unit where many of the patients are
affected by asthma. Which of the following actions by the nurse would most
likely increase respiratory difficulty for the patients?
A. Wearing perfume to work
B. Encouraging patients to ambulate daily
C. Allowing the patients to eat green leafy vegetables
D. Withholding antibiotic therapy until cultures are obtained --ANSWER--A.
Wearing perfume to work People with asthma should avoid extrinsic allergens
and irritants (e.g., dust, pollen, smoke, certain foods, colognes and perfumes,
certain types of medications) because their airways become inflamed, producing
shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing. Many green leafy vegetables
are rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which incorporate healthy lifestyle
patterns into the patients' daily living routines. Routine exercise is a part of a
prudent lifestyle, and for patients with asthma the physical and psychosocial
2
,effects of ambulation can incorporate feelings of well-being, strength, and
enhancement of physical endurance. Antibiotic therapy is always initiated after
cultures are obtained so that the sensitivity to the organism can be readily
identified.
The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with asthma. Which
teaching point has the highest priority?
a) Avoid contact with fur-bearing animals.
b) Change filters on heating and air conditioning units frequently.
c) Take prescribed medications as scheduled.
d) Avoid goose down pillows. --ANSWER--C
A client is admitted to the emergency department with an acute asthma attack.
The physician prescribes ephedrine sulfate, 25 mg subcutaneously (S.C.). How
soon should the ephedrine take effect?
a) Rapidly
b) In 3 minutes
c) In 1 hour
d) In 2 hours --ANSWER--A
A slightly obese client with a history of allergy-induced asthma, hypertension,
and mitral valve prolapse is admitted to an acute care facility for elective
surgery. The nurse obtains a complete history and performs a thorough physical
3
, examination, paying special attention to the cardiovascular and respiratory
systems. When percussing the client's chest wall, the nurse expects to elicit:
a) resonant sounds.
b) hyperresonant sounds.
c) dull sounds.
d) flat sounds. --ANSWER--A
NCLEX QUESTIONS- ASTHMA
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with status asthmaticus who is
currently not receiving any medical treatment. Which risk factor should the
nurse consider for this client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Alkalosis
B. Hypercapnia
C. Anxiety
D. Hyperresonance
E. Hyporeflexia --ANSWER--Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: The client who is not being treated for status asthmaticus is at risk for
developing hypercapnia, hyperresonance, and anxiety. Acidosis occurs with
status asthmaticus, not alkalosis. Hyporeflexia is not a condition that occurs if a
client does not receive treatment for status asthmaticus.
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QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
The physician prescribes triamcinolone (Azmacort) and salmeterol (Serevent)
for a client with a history of asthma. What action should the nurse take when
administering these drugs?
a) Administer the triamcinolone and then administer
the salmeterol.
b) Administer the salmeterol and then administer the triamcinolone.
c) Allow the client to choose the order in which the drugs are administered.
d) Monitor the client's theophylline level before administering the medications.
--ANSWER--b) Administer the salmeterol and then administer the
triamcinolone.
The nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma attack. The client
stops wheezing and breath sounds aren't audible. This change occurred because:
a) the attack is over.
b) the airways are so swollen that no air can get through.
c) the swelling has decreased.
d) crackles have replaced wheezes. --ANSWER--b) the airways are so swollen
that no air can get through.
1
,When admitting a patient with the diagnosis of asthma exacerbation, the nurse
will assess for which of the following potential triggers? (Select all that apply.)
A. Exercise
B. Allergies
C. Emotional stress
D. Decreased humidity --ANSWER--A,B,C Although the exact mechanism of
asthma is unknown, there are several triggers that may precipitate an attack.
These include allergens, exercise, air pollutants, respiratory infections, drug and
food additives, psychologic factors, and GERD.
A nurse is working on a respiratory care unit where many of the patients are
affected by asthma. Which of the following actions by the nurse would most
likely increase respiratory difficulty for the patients?
A. Wearing perfume to work
B. Encouraging patients to ambulate daily
C. Allowing the patients to eat green leafy vegetables
D. Withholding antibiotic therapy until cultures are obtained --ANSWER--A.
Wearing perfume to work People with asthma should avoid extrinsic allergens
and irritants (e.g., dust, pollen, smoke, certain foods, colognes and perfumes,
certain types of medications) because their airways become inflamed, producing
shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing. Many green leafy vegetables
are rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which incorporate healthy lifestyle
patterns into the patients' daily living routines. Routine exercise is a part of a
prudent lifestyle, and for patients with asthma the physical and psychosocial
2
,effects of ambulation can incorporate feelings of well-being, strength, and
enhancement of physical endurance. Antibiotic therapy is always initiated after
cultures are obtained so that the sensitivity to the organism can be readily
identified.
The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with asthma. Which
teaching point has the highest priority?
a) Avoid contact with fur-bearing animals.
b) Change filters on heating and air conditioning units frequently.
c) Take prescribed medications as scheduled.
d) Avoid goose down pillows. --ANSWER--C
A client is admitted to the emergency department with an acute asthma attack.
The physician prescribes ephedrine sulfate, 25 mg subcutaneously (S.C.). How
soon should the ephedrine take effect?
a) Rapidly
b) In 3 minutes
c) In 1 hour
d) In 2 hours --ANSWER--A
A slightly obese client with a history of allergy-induced asthma, hypertension,
and mitral valve prolapse is admitted to an acute care facility for elective
surgery. The nurse obtains a complete history and performs a thorough physical
3
, examination, paying special attention to the cardiovascular and respiratory
systems. When percussing the client's chest wall, the nurse expects to elicit:
a) resonant sounds.
b) hyperresonant sounds.
c) dull sounds.
d) flat sounds. --ANSWER--A
NCLEX QUESTIONS- ASTHMA
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with status asthmaticus who is
currently not receiving any medical treatment. Which risk factor should the
nurse consider for this client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Alkalosis
B. Hypercapnia
C. Anxiety
D. Hyperresonance
E. Hyporeflexia --ANSWER--Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: The client who is not being treated for status asthmaticus is at risk for
developing hypercapnia, hyperresonance, and anxiety. Acidosis occurs with
status asthmaticus, not alkalosis. Hyporeflexia is not a condition that occurs if a
client does not receive treatment for status asthmaticus.
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