BIOL 204
NUR 240 Exam 3 Questions with
Correct Answers 2026
The emergency department nurse is assessing a client who has sustained a blunt
injury to the chest wall. Which finding indicates the presence of a pneumothorax
in this client?
1. A low respiratory rate
2. Diminished breath sounds
3. The presence of a barrel chest
4. A sucking sound at the site of injury
2
The nurse is caring for a client hospitalized with acute exacerbation of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Which findings would the nurse expect to note on
assessment of this client? Select all that apply.
1. A low arterial PCo2, level
2. A hyperinflated chest noted on the chest x-ray
3. Decreased oxygen saturation with mild exercise
4. A widened diaphragm noted on the chest x-ray
5. Pulmonary function tests that demonstrate increased vital capacity
2, 3
The nurse instructs a client to use the pursed-lip method of breathing and
evaluates the teaching by asking the client about the purpose of this type of
breathing. The nurse determines that the client understands if the client states
that the primary purpose of pursed-lip breathing is to promote which outcome?
1. Promote oxygen intake
2. Strengthen the diaphragm
3. Strengthen the intercostal muscles
4. Promote carbon dioxide elimination
4
The nurse is caring for a client after a bronchoscopy and biopsy. Which finding, if
noted in the client, should be reported immediately to the health care provider?
1. Dry cough
2. Hematuria
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3. Bronchospasm
4. Blood-streaked sputum
3
The nurse is preparing to suction a client via a tracheostomy tube. The nurse
should plan to limit the suctioning time to a maximum of which time period?
1.5 seconds
2. 10 seconds
3. 30 seconds
4. 60 seconds
2
The nurse is suctioning a client via an endotracheal tube. During the suctioning
procedure, the nurse notes on the monitor that the heart rate is decreasing.
Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
1. Continue to suction.
2. Notify the health care provider immediately.
3. Stop the procedure and reoxygenate the client.
4. Ensure that the suction is limited to 15 seconds.
3
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of a client who has suffered a
fractured rib. The nurse should expect to note which finding?
1. Slow, deep respirations
2. Rapid, deep respirations
3. Paradoxical respirations
4. Pain, especially with inspiration
4
A client with a chest injury has suffered flail chest. The nurse assesses the client
for which most distinctive sign of flail chest?
1. Cyanosis
2. Hypotension
3. Paradoxical chest movement
4. Dyspnea, especially on exhalation
3
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A client has been admitted with chest trauma after a motor vehicle crash and has
undergone subsequent intubation. The nurse checks the client when the high-
pressure alarm on the ventilator sounds, and notes that the client has absence of
breath sounds in the right upper lobe of the lung. The nurse immediately assesses
for other signs of which condition?
1. Right pneumothorax
2. Pulmonary embolism
3. Displaced endotracheal tube
4. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
1
The nurse is assessing a client with multiple trauma who is at risk for developing
acute respiratory distress syndrome. The nurse should assess for which earliest
sign of acute respiratory distress syndrome?
1. Bilateral wheezing
2. Inspiratory crackles
3. Intercostal retractions
4. Increased respiratory rate
4
The nurse is discussing the techniques of chest physiotherapy and postural
drainage (respiratory treatments) to a client having expectoration problems
because of chronic thick, tenacious mucus production in the lower airway. The
nurse explains that after the client is positioned for postural drainage the nurse
will perform which action to help loosen secretions?
1. Palpation and clubbing
2. Percussion and vibration
3. Hyperoxygenation and suctioning
4. Administer a bronchodilator and monitor peak flow
2
A client has experienced pulmonary embolism. The nurse should assess for which
symptom, which is most commonly reported?
1. Hot, flushed feeling
2. Sudden chills and fever
3. Chest pain that occurs suddenly
4. Dyspnea when deep breaths are taken
BIOL 204
NUR 240 Exam 3 Questions with
Correct Answers 2026
The emergency department nurse is assessing a client who has sustained a blunt
injury to the chest wall. Which finding indicates the presence of a pneumothorax
in this client?
1. A low respiratory rate
2. Diminished breath sounds
3. The presence of a barrel chest
4. A sucking sound at the site of injury
2
The nurse is caring for a client hospitalized with acute exacerbation of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Which findings would the nurse expect to note on
assessment of this client? Select all that apply.
1. A low arterial PCo2, level
2. A hyperinflated chest noted on the chest x-ray
3. Decreased oxygen saturation with mild exercise
4. A widened diaphragm noted on the chest x-ray
5. Pulmonary function tests that demonstrate increased vital capacity
2, 3
The nurse instructs a client to use the pursed-lip method of breathing and
evaluates the teaching by asking the client about the purpose of this type of
breathing. The nurse determines that the client understands if the client states
that the primary purpose of pursed-lip breathing is to promote which outcome?
1. Promote oxygen intake
2. Strengthen the diaphragm
3. Strengthen the intercostal muscles
4. Promote carbon dioxide elimination
4
The nurse is caring for a client after a bronchoscopy and biopsy. Which finding, if
noted in the client, should be reported immediately to the health care provider?
1. Dry cough
2. Hematuria
BIOL 204
,BIOL 204
3. Bronchospasm
4. Blood-streaked sputum
3
The nurse is preparing to suction a client via a tracheostomy tube. The nurse
should plan to limit the suctioning time to a maximum of which time period?
1.5 seconds
2. 10 seconds
3. 30 seconds
4. 60 seconds
2
The nurse is suctioning a client via an endotracheal tube. During the suctioning
procedure, the nurse notes on the monitor that the heart rate is decreasing.
Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
1. Continue to suction.
2. Notify the health care provider immediately.
3. Stop the procedure and reoxygenate the client.
4. Ensure that the suction is limited to 15 seconds.
3
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of a client who has suffered a
fractured rib. The nurse should expect to note which finding?
1. Slow, deep respirations
2. Rapid, deep respirations
3. Paradoxical respirations
4. Pain, especially with inspiration
4
A client with a chest injury has suffered flail chest. The nurse assesses the client
for which most distinctive sign of flail chest?
1. Cyanosis
2. Hypotension
3. Paradoxical chest movement
4. Dyspnea, especially on exhalation
3
BIOL 204
, BIOL 204
A client has been admitted with chest trauma after a motor vehicle crash and has
undergone subsequent intubation. The nurse checks the client when the high-
pressure alarm on the ventilator sounds, and notes that the client has absence of
breath sounds in the right upper lobe of the lung. The nurse immediately assesses
for other signs of which condition?
1. Right pneumothorax
2. Pulmonary embolism
3. Displaced endotracheal tube
4. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
1
The nurse is assessing a client with multiple trauma who is at risk for developing
acute respiratory distress syndrome. The nurse should assess for which earliest
sign of acute respiratory distress syndrome?
1. Bilateral wheezing
2. Inspiratory crackles
3. Intercostal retractions
4. Increased respiratory rate
4
The nurse is discussing the techniques of chest physiotherapy and postural
drainage (respiratory treatments) to a client having expectoration problems
because of chronic thick, tenacious mucus production in the lower airway. The
nurse explains that after the client is positioned for postural drainage the nurse
will perform which action to help loosen secretions?
1. Palpation and clubbing
2. Percussion and vibration
3. Hyperoxygenation and suctioning
4. Administer a bronchodilator and monitor peak flow
2
A client has experienced pulmonary embolism. The nurse should assess for which
symptom, which is most commonly reported?
1. Hot, flushed feeling
2. Sudden chills and fever
3. Chest pain that occurs suddenly
4. Dyspnea when deep breaths are taken
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