1
ATI MED SURG RESPIRATORY PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
[RATIONALES PROVIDED]
NOTE: THIS STUDY GUIDE IS SPECIFIC TO REAL 2025/26 VERSION EXAM
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic bronchitis who reports increased
shortness of breath and productive cough with thick sputum. Which nursing
intervention should the nurse implement first?
a) Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing.
b) Administer the prescribed bronchodilator medication.
c) Encourage fluid intake to help thin secretions.
d) Teach effective coughing techniques.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator will help open the airways, improving
ventilation and oxygenation. While pursed-lip breathing, fluids, and effective
coughing are important, opening the airways takes priority in this scenario.
,2
2. A nurse is caring for a patient following a thoracentesis to remove pleural
fluid. Which post-procedure assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
a) Decreased breath sounds on the affected side
b) Pulse oximetry reading of 92%
c) Pain rating of 4 on a scale of 1-10
d) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds on the affected side may indicate a
pneumothorax, a potential complication of thoracentesis that requires immediate
intervention. A pulse oximetry of 92% is low but acceptable post-procedure, while
the other findings are within normal limits or manageable.
3. A patient with pneumonia is being monitored using pulse oximetry. The
oxygen saturation is reading at 87%, but the patient denies any symptoms
of distress. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a) Confirm correct positioning of the pulse oximeter probe.
b) Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed.
,3
c) Call the healthcare provider.
d) Document the oxygen saturation reading.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulse oximetry readings can be affected by probe placement. Ensuring
correct probe placement is critical to obtain an accurate reading before initiating
other interventions.
4. A nurse is preparing a patient with emphysema for discharge. Which of the
following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I will do my breathing exercises every day."
b) "I will drink plenty of fluids to help thin my mucus."
c) "I will lie down after meals to rest and conserve energy."
d) "I will avoid cigarette smoke and other lung irritants."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lying down after meals can increase the risk of aspiration and
exacerbate breathing difficulties. The patient should sit upright to promote lung
expansion and reduce respiratory effort.
, 4
5. A nurse is assessing a patient with asthma who presents with wheezing,
prolonged exhalation, and difficulty breathing. Which action should the
nurse take first?
a) Provide education on peak flow monitoring.
b) Administer prescribed short-acting bronchodilator.
c) Instruct the patient to take deep breaths and cough.
d) Encourage the patient to sit upright.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator helps to quickly open the airways,
which is a priority for a patient in respiratory distress. Other actions are
supportive but do not directly address immediate respiratory needs.
6. A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving oxygen therapy for pneumonia.
The patient becomes increasingly restless and confused. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
a) Check the patient’s pulse oximetry reading.
b) Increase the patient’s oxygen flow rate.
ATI MED SURG RESPIRATORY PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
[RATIONALES PROVIDED]
NOTE: THIS STUDY GUIDE IS SPECIFIC TO REAL 2025/26 VERSION EXAM
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic bronchitis who reports increased
shortness of breath and productive cough with thick sputum. Which nursing
intervention should the nurse implement first?
a) Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing.
b) Administer the prescribed bronchodilator medication.
c) Encourage fluid intake to help thin secretions.
d) Teach effective coughing techniques.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator will help open the airways, improving
ventilation and oxygenation. While pursed-lip breathing, fluids, and effective
coughing are important, opening the airways takes priority in this scenario.
,2
2. A nurse is caring for a patient following a thoracentesis to remove pleural
fluid. Which post-procedure assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
a) Decreased breath sounds on the affected side
b) Pulse oximetry reading of 92%
c) Pain rating of 4 on a scale of 1-10
d) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds on the affected side may indicate a
pneumothorax, a potential complication of thoracentesis that requires immediate
intervention. A pulse oximetry of 92% is low but acceptable post-procedure, while
the other findings are within normal limits or manageable.
3. A patient with pneumonia is being monitored using pulse oximetry. The
oxygen saturation is reading at 87%, but the patient denies any symptoms
of distress. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a) Confirm correct positioning of the pulse oximeter probe.
b) Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed.
,3
c) Call the healthcare provider.
d) Document the oxygen saturation reading.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulse oximetry readings can be affected by probe placement. Ensuring
correct probe placement is critical to obtain an accurate reading before initiating
other interventions.
4. A nurse is preparing a patient with emphysema for discharge. Which of the
following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I will do my breathing exercises every day."
b) "I will drink plenty of fluids to help thin my mucus."
c) "I will lie down after meals to rest and conserve energy."
d) "I will avoid cigarette smoke and other lung irritants."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lying down after meals can increase the risk of aspiration and
exacerbate breathing difficulties. The patient should sit upright to promote lung
expansion and reduce respiratory effort.
, 4
5. A nurse is assessing a patient with asthma who presents with wheezing,
prolonged exhalation, and difficulty breathing. Which action should the
nurse take first?
a) Provide education on peak flow monitoring.
b) Administer prescribed short-acting bronchodilator.
c) Instruct the patient to take deep breaths and cough.
d) Encourage the patient to sit upright.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator helps to quickly open the airways,
which is a priority for a patient in respiratory distress. Other actions are
supportive but do not directly address immediate respiratory needs.
6. A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving oxygen therapy for pneumonia.
The patient becomes increasingly restless and confused. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
a) Check the patient’s pulse oximetry reading.
b) Increase the patient’s oxygen flow rate.
