ATI N4581 Resp Questions and Answer Latest Update
1. A nurse reviews ABG values: pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 48 mm Hg, HCO₃ 23 mEq/L.
Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates hypoventilation.
2. Patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action is
most appropriate?
Answer: Reduce oxygen to 2 L/min
Rationale: High O₂ can suppress hypoxic drive in COPD patients.
3. A client with pneumonia has crackles in both lungs. Which intervention is priority?
Answer: Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Rationale: Mobilizes secretions and improves ventilation.
4. A nurse prepares to suction a tracheostomy. Which step is correct?
Answer: Apply suction while withdrawing catheter
Rationale: Prevents mucosal damage and hypoxia.
5. A patient with asthma develops wheezing and dyspnea. Which medication is
indicated?
Answer: Short-acting beta agonist (albuterol)
Rationale: Provides rapid bronchodilation.
6. A nurse notes SpO₂ of 85% on room air. First action?
Answer: Apply supplemental oxygen
Rationale: Immediate correction of hypoxemia.
7. A client with pulmonary embolism reports sudden chest pain. Priority intervention?
Answer: Administer oxygen therapy
Rationale: Supports oxygenation during impaired perfusion.
8. Which finding indicates effective chest tube drainage?
Answer: Fluctuation of fluid with respiration
Rationale: Shows patency of drainage system.
9. A patient with TB is placed on precautions. Which type?
Answer: Airborne precautions
Rationale: TB spreads via airborne droplets.
10. A nurse teaches pursed-lip breathing. Purpose?
Answer: Prevent airway collapse during exhalation
Rationale: Maintains positive airway pressure.
, 11. A client with ARDS requires mechanical ventilation. Which setting is most
important?
Answer: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Rationale: Prevents alveolar collapse and improves oxygenation.
12. A nurse notes frothy pink sputum in a patient with heart failure. Interpretation?
Answer: Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Fluid accumulation in alveoli causes frothy sputum.
13. Which lab confirms hypoxemia?
Answer: PaO₂ < 80 mm Hg
Rationale: Indicates inadequate oxygenation.
14. A patient with emphysema has barrel chest. Cause?
Answer: Air trapping and hyperinflation
Rationale: Chronic retention of air alters chest shape.
15. A nurse teaches incentive spirometry. Correct instruction?
Answer: Inhale slowly to raise the ball
Rationale: Promotes lung expansion.
16. A patient with pneumothorax has absent breath sounds on one side. Priority?
Answer: Prepare for chest tube insertion
Rationale: Restores negative intrathoracic pressure.
17. A nurse notes clubbing of fingers. Associated condition?
Answer: Chronic hypoxemia
Rationale: Long-term oxygen deprivation causes tissue changes.
18. A patient with sleep apnea is prescribed CPAP. Purpose?
Answer: Maintain airway patency during sleep
Rationale: Prevents collapse of upper airway.
19. Which finding indicates respiratory distress in infants?
Answer: Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Signs of increased work of breathing.
20. A nurse reviews ABG: pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃ 24.
Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Low PaCO₂ with high pH indicates hyperventilation.
21. A patient with laryngeal cancer has hoarseness. Cause?
Answer: Tumor affecting vocal cords
Rationale: Interferes with normal phonation.
1. A nurse reviews ABG values: pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 48 mm Hg, HCO₃ 23 mEq/L.
Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates hypoventilation.
2. Patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action is
most appropriate?
Answer: Reduce oxygen to 2 L/min
Rationale: High O₂ can suppress hypoxic drive in COPD patients.
3. A client with pneumonia has crackles in both lungs. Which intervention is priority?
Answer: Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Rationale: Mobilizes secretions and improves ventilation.
4. A nurse prepares to suction a tracheostomy. Which step is correct?
Answer: Apply suction while withdrawing catheter
Rationale: Prevents mucosal damage and hypoxia.
5. A patient with asthma develops wheezing and dyspnea. Which medication is
indicated?
Answer: Short-acting beta agonist (albuterol)
Rationale: Provides rapid bronchodilation.
6. A nurse notes SpO₂ of 85% on room air. First action?
Answer: Apply supplemental oxygen
Rationale: Immediate correction of hypoxemia.
7. A client with pulmonary embolism reports sudden chest pain. Priority intervention?
Answer: Administer oxygen therapy
Rationale: Supports oxygenation during impaired perfusion.
8. Which finding indicates effective chest tube drainage?
Answer: Fluctuation of fluid with respiration
Rationale: Shows patency of drainage system.
9. A patient with TB is placed on precautions. Which type?
Answer: Airborne precautions
Rationale: TB spreads via airborne droplets.
10. A nurse teaches pursed-lip breathing. Purpose?
Answer: Prevent airway collapse during exhalation
Rationale: Maintains positive airway pressure.
, 11. A client with ARDS requires mechanical ventilation. Which setting is most
important?
Answer: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Rationale: Prevents alveolar collapse and improves oxygenation.
12. A nurse notes frothy pink sputum in a patient with heart failure. Interpretation?
Answer: Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Fluid accumulation in alveoli causes frothy sputum.
13. Which lab confirms hypoxemia?
Answer: PaO₂ < 80 mm Hg
Rationale: Indicates inadequate oxygenation.
14. A patient with emphysema has barrel chest. Cause?
Answer: Air trapping and hyperinflation
Rationale: Chronic retention of air alters chest shape.
15. A nurse teaches incentive spirometry. Correct instruction?
Answer: Inhale slowly to raise the ball
Rationale: Promotes lung expansion.
16. A patient with pneumothorax has absent breath sounds on one side. Priority?
Answer: Prepare for chest tube insertion
Rationale: Restores negative intrathoracic pressure.
17. A nurse notes clubbing of fingers. Associated condition?
Answer: Chronic hypoxemia
Rationale: Long-term oxygen deprivation causes tissue changes.
18. A patient with sleep apnea is prescribed CPAP. Purpose?
Answer: Maintain airway patency during sleep
Rationale: Prevents collapse of upper airway.
19. Which finding indicates respiratory distress in infants?
Answer: Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Signs of increased work of breathing.
20. A nurse reviews ABG: pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃ 24.
Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Low PaCO₂ with high pH indicates hyperventilation.
21. A patient with laryngeal cancer has hoarseness. Cause?
Answer: Tumor affecting vocal cords
Rationale: Interferes with normal phonation.
