2026 ATI Respiratory Learning System Med-Surg
Practice Exam Actual Questions And Answers
With 100% Verified Solutions| Remarking Grade
A+.
A nurse is assessing a patient who has a chest tube in place following a thoracic
surgery. Which of the following findings indicates a need for intervention: -
ANSWER: 2. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests an air leak.
A nurse is caring for an elderly patient who suffers from COPD with pneumonia. The
nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis - ANSWER: 2. Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a common complication of COPD. This complication occurs
because patients who have COPD are unable to exhale carbon dioxide due to a loss
of elastic recoil in the lungs.
Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER: hyperventilation
Occurs when pt exhales too much carbon dioxide
Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER: high pH, high HCO3
Pt has excessive amount of bicarbonate
1|Page
,Clients who use bicarbonate of soda as an antacid are at risk for the development
of metabolic alkalosis.
Excessive vomiting also places a client at risk for development of metabolic
alkalosis.
A nurse is preparing to administer cisplatin IV to a patient with lung cancer. The
nurse should identify that which of the following findings is an adverse effect of this
medication?
A. Hallucinations
B. Pruritus
C. Hand and foot syndrome
D. Tinnitus - ANSWER: Tinnitis
An adverse effect of cisplatin is ototoxicity, which can cause tinnitis.
Hand and foot syndrome = adverse effect of capecitabine, an antineoplastic
- medication used to treat breast and colorectal cancer.
Pruritus is an adverse effect of methotrexate, which is used to treat cancer and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Hallucinations are an adverse effect of asparaginase, which is an antineoplastic
medication used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemi
A nurse is preparing to assist a provider to withdraw arterial blood from a patient's
radial artery for measurement of ABG. Which of the following actions should the
nurse plan to take?
A. Hyperventilate the client with 100% oxygen prior to obtaining the specimen.
2|Page
, B. Apply ice to site after obtaining the specimen
C. Perform an Allen's test prior to obtaining the specimen
D. Release pressure applied to puncture site 1 min after needle is withdrawn -
ANSWER: 3. Perform an Allen's test prior to obtaining the specimen.
The nurse should ensure that circulation to the hand is adequate from the ulnar
artery in case the radial artery is injured from the blood draw. The most common
site for withdrawal of arterial blood gases is the radial artery.
The nurse should apply pressure to the puncture site for 5 to 10 min after the
needle is withdrawn. High pressure of the blood in the arteries places the client at
risk for hemorrhage from the withdrawal site.
The nurse should use ice to preserve the arterial blood gas specimen during
transport to the laboratory. If the sample is not placed on ice, the pH and PO2
values can be inaccurate. It is not necessary to place ice on the withdrawal site.
The nurse should not administer oxygen prior to the blood draw, because the test
measures the client's arterial blood gases when breathing room air.
A nurse is providing instructions about pursed-lip breathing for a patient who has
COPD with emphysema. The nurse should explain that this breathing technique
accomplishes which of the following:
A. Increases oxygen intake
B. Promotes carbon dioxide elimination
C. Uses the intercostal muscles
D. Strengthens the diaphragm - ANSWER: B. Promotes carbon dioxide elimination
The client who has COPD with emphysema should use pursed-lip breathing when
experiencing dyspnea. This is one of the simplest ways to control dyspnea. It slows
the client's pace of breathing, making each breath more effective. Pursed-lip
breathing releases trapped air in the lungs and prolongs exhalation to slow the
3|Page
Practice Exam Actual Questions And Answers
With 100% Verified Solutions| Remarking Grade
A+.
A nurse is assessing a patient who has a chest tube in place following a thoracic
surgery. Which of the following findings indicates a need for intervention: -
ANSWER: 2. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests an air leak.
A nurse is caring for an elderly patient who suffers from COPD with pneumonia. The
nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis - ANSWER: 2. Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a common complication of COPD. This complication occurs
because patients who have COPD are unable to exhale carbon dioxide due to a loss
of elastic recoil in the lungs.
Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER: hyperventilation
Occurs when pt exhales too much carbon dioxide
Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER: high pH, high HCO3
Pt has excessive amount of bicarbonate
1|Page
,Clients who use bicarbonate of soda as an antacid are at risk for the development
of metabolic alkalosis.
Excessive vomiting also places a client at risk for development of metabolic
alkalosis.
A nurse is preparing to administer cisplatin IV to a patient with lung cancer. The
nurse should identify that which of the following findings is an adverse effect of this
medication?
A. Hallucinations
B. Pruritus
C. Hand and foot syndrome
D. Tinnitus - ANSWER: Tinnitis
An adverse effect of cisplatin is ototoxicity, which can cause tinnitis.
Hand and foot syndrome = adverse effect of capecitabine, an antineoplastic
- medication used to treat breast and colorectal cancer.
Pruritus is an adverse effect of methotrexate, which is used to treat cancer and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Hallucinations are an adverse effect of asparaginase, which is an antineoplastic
medication used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemi
A nurse is preparing to assist a provider to withdraw arterial blood from a patient's
radial artery for measurement of ABG. Which of the following actions should the
nurse plan to take?
A. Hyperventilate the client with 100% oxygen prior to obtaining the specimen.
2|Page
, B. Apply ice to site after obtaining the specimen
C. Perform an Allen's test prior to obtaining the specimen
D. Release pressure applied to puncture site 1 min after needle is withdrawn -
ANSWER: 3. Perform an Allen's test prior to obtaining the specimen.
The nurse should ensure that circulation to the hand is adequate from the ulnar
artery in case the radial artery is injured from the blood draw. The most common
site for withdrawal of arterial blood gases is the radial artery.
The nurse should apply pressure to the puncture site for 5 to 10 min after the
needle is withdrawn. High pressure of the blood in the arteries places the client at
risk for hemorrhage from the withdrawal site.
The nurse should use ice to preserve the arterial blood gas specimen during
transport to the laboratory. If the sample is not placed on ice, the pH and PO2
values can be inaccurate. It is not necessary to place ice on the withdrawal site.
The nurse should not administer oxygen prior to the blood draw, because the test
measures the client's arterial blood gases when breathing room air.
A nurse is providing instructions about pursed-lip breathing for a patient who has
COPD with emphysema. The nurse should explain that this breathing technique
accomplishes which of the following:
A. Increases oxygen intake
B. Promotes carbon dioxide elimination
C. Uses the intercostal muscles
D. Strengthens the diaphragm - ANSWER: B. Promotes carbon dioxide elimination
The client who has COPD with emphysema should use pursed-lip breathing when
experiencing dyspnea. This is one of the simplest ways to control dyspnea. It slows
the client's pace of breathing, making each breath more effective. Pursed-lip
breathing releases trapped air in the lungs and prolongs exhalation to slow the
3|Page
