NUR 203 RESPIRATORY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2026
What is the purpose of the *cuff* on an ET tube? - ANS when inflated it forms a *seal* that
keeps air from leaking back out through the mouth & *allows lungs to be expanded*
What are the 2 most common artificial airways? - ANS ET tube & trache
*used when pt can't breathe adequately on their own/if airway is impaired, obstructed,
incompetent*
*RNs DO NOT INTUBATE*
(ex. surgery/gen anesthesia, trauma, disease, anaphylaxis, inhalation injuries, etc.)
Why is it important to remove dentures before inserting an ET tube? - ANS to reduce
aspiration risk
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
,The chest tube of a client 16 hours post-op from a lobectomy is accidentally pulled out by a
portable x-ray machine. What is the nurse's best *first* action?
a) clamp the tubing with the padded clamps as close as possible to the insertion site
b) reposition the client on the non-operative side and support the tube(s) with pillows
c) cover the insertion site with a sterile occlusive dressing and tape down on three sides
d) don sterile gloves and attempt to reinsert the chest tube at the original insertion site -
ANS c
The RN caring for a client who is intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation notes that her
oxygen saturation is 89%, HR=120, and she is increasingly agitated and restless. On auscultation,
the RN finds that the lung sounds are diminished on one side. Which action does the RN
perform *first*?
a) notify the HCP, and prepare for re-intubation or repositioning the tube
b) document the findings, and request sedation from the HCP
c) call respiratory therapy to obtain a set of ABG's
d) reposition the tube, and call radiology STAT for a chest x-ray - ANS a
A student nurse is working with a client in the ICU on a pt who is intubated and being
mechanically ventilated. What action by the student causes the RN to intervene?
a) repositioning the client q2hr
b) providing oral care with chlorhexidene rinse
c) checking tube placement at the client's incisor
d) turning off ventilator alarms while working in the room - ANS d
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
,What position are patients placed in prior to intubation? - ANS laying flat with their head
tilted back
*may also see a towel roll behind their shoulders --> opens airway*
Where does the ET tube stop in the patient's airway? - ANS 3-5 cm above the carina (so air
can go into both lungs)
What are the different methods used for determining correct ETT placement? - ANS - end-
tidal CO2
- equal rise and fall of the chest when breathing for pt
- auscultating lung sounds bilaterally
- chest x-ray (blue line shows up)
*after placement is confirmed, then secure it (don't wait for chest x-ray to confirm*
What are the 3 most common mechanical vent settings? - ANS - CMV (controlled mandatory
ventilation)
- ACV (assist control)
- SIMV (synchronized intermittent mandatory vent)
Which mechanical vent setting requires the patient to be completely sedated so that it can
completely control pt. breathing? - ANS CMV (used for pt's who are *sedated* or who have
been given *paralytics*) --> gives a prescribed *rate, tidal volume, and % of O2 to the pt.*
(alarms will go off if the pt tries to breathe over the vent)
*the diaphragm is not used at all*
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, (if they are breathing on this setting they need more meds or to step down to ACV)
Ex:
RR = 12 (spaced evenly over 1 minute)
TV = 450 mL
FiO2 = 0.8 (80% oxygen w/ each breath)
True or False:
Older adults or those who have decreased muscle tone are harder to wean off the ventilator -
ANS true
What is the term used to describe how much air is being pushed into the lungs with each
breath? - ANS tidal volume (400-500 mL is used for adults)
What is the biggest difference between CMV and ACV? - ANS CMV --> the patient does
*NOT* help breathe
ACV --> the patient helps breathe with the vent
What mechanical vent setting is used when the pt is beginning to breathe on their own but may
still require additional help by the machine? - ANS *ACV* --> the pt is still receiving a
prescribed rate, TV, and FiO2 amount but is able to breathe over the vent on their own
*the machine still controls TV for the breaths that the pt. breathes on their own*
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2026
What is the purpose of the *cuff* on an ET tube? - ANS when inflated it forms a *seal* that
keeps air from leaking back out through the mouth & *allows lungs to be expanded*
What are the 2 most common artificial airways? - ANS ET tube & trache
*used when pt can't breathe adequately on their own/if airway is impaired, obstructed,
incompetent*
*RNs DO NOT INTUBATE*
(ex. surgery/gen anesthesia, trauma, disease, anaphylaxis, inhalation injuries, etc.)
Why is it important to remove dentures before inserting an ET tube? - ANS to reduce
aspiration risk
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
,The chest tube of a client 16 hours post-op from a lobectomy is accidentally pulled out by a
portable x-ray machine. What is the nurse's best *first* action?
a) clamp the tubing with the padded clamps as close as possible to the insertion site
b) reposition the client on the non-operative side and support the tube(s) with pillows
c) cover the insertion site with a sterile occlusive dressing and tape down on three sides
d) don sterile gloves and attempt to reinsert the chest tube at the original insertion site -
ANS c
The RN caring for a client who is intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation notes that her
oxygen saturation is 89%, HR=120, and she is increasingly agitated and restless. On auscultation,
the RN finds that the lung sounds are diminished on one side. Which action does the RN
perform *first*?
a) notify the HCP, and prepare for re-intubation or repositioning the tube
b) document the findings, and request sedation from the HCP
c) call respiratory therapy to obtain a set of ABG's
d) reposition the tube, and call radiology STAT for a chest x-ray - ANS a
A student nurse is working with a client in the ICU on a pt who is intubated and being
mechanically ventilated. What action by the student causes the RN to intervene?
a) repositioning the client q2hr
b) providing oral care with chlorhexidene rinse
c) checking tube placement at the client's incisor
d) turning off ventilator alarms while working in the room - ANS d
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
,What position are patients placed in prior to intubation? - ANS laying flat with their head
tilted back
*may also see a towel roll behind their shoulders --> opens airway*
Where does the ET tube stop in the patient's airway? - ANS 3-5 cm above the carina (so air
can go into both lungs)
What are the different methods used for determining correct ETT placement? - ANS - end-
tidal CO2
- equal rise and fall of the chest when breathing for pt
- auscultating lung sounds bilaterally
- chest x-ray (blue line shows up)
*after placement is confirmed, then secure it (don't wait for chest x-ray to confirm*
What are the 3 most common mechanical vent settings? - ANS - CMV (controlled mandatory
ventilation)
- ACV (assist control)
- SIMV (synchronized intermittent mandatory vent)
Which mechanical vent setting requires the patient to be completely sedated so that it can
completely control pt. breathing? - ANS CMV (used for pt's who are *sedated* or who have
been given *paralytics*) --> gives a prescribed *rate, tidal volume, and % of O2 to the pt.*
(alarms will go off if the pt tries to breathe over the vent)
*the diaphragm is not used at all*
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, (if they are breathing on this setting they need more meds or to step down to ACV)
Ex:
RR = 12 (spaced evenly over 1 minute)
TV = 450 mL
FiO2 = 0.8 (80% oxygen w/ each breath)
True or False:
Older adults or those who have decreased muscle tone are harder to wean off the ventilator -
ANS true
What is the term used to describe how much air is being pushed into the lungs with each
breath? - ANS tidal volume (400-500 mL is used for adults)
What is the biggest difference between CMV and ACV? - ANS CMV --> the patient does
*NOT* help breathe
ACV --> the patient helps breathe with the vent
What mechanical vent setting is used when the pt is beginning to breathe on their own but may
still require additional help by the machine? - ANS *ACV* --> the pt is still receiving a
prescribed rate, TV, and FiO2 amount but is able to breathe over the vent on their own
*the machine still controls TV for the breaths that the pt. breathes on their own*
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
4
