NURS (FUNDAMENTAL): NCLEX
OXYGENATION AND PERFUSION.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
A nurse caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knows that
hypoxia may occur in patients with respiratory problems. What are signs of this serious
condition? Select all answers that apply.
a) Dyspnea
b) Hypotension
c) Small pulse pressure
d) Decreased respiratory rate
e) Pallor
f) Increased pulse rate - ANS a, c, e, f
If a problem exists in ventilation, respiration, or perfusion, hypoxia may occur. Hypoxia is a
condition in which an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to cells. The most common
symptoms of hypoxia are dyspnea (difficulty breathing), an elevated blood pressure with a small
pulse pressure, increased respiratory and pulse rates, pallor, and cyanosis.
A nurse is suctioning the nasopharyngeal airway of a patient to maintain a patent airway. For
which condition would the nurse anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet?
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,a) The patient vomits during suctioning.
b) The secretions appear to be stomach contents.
c) The catheter touches an unsterile surface.
d) Epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning. - ANS d) Epistaxis is noted with continued
suctioning.
When epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning, the nurse should notify the physician and
anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet. The nasal trumpet will protect the nasal mucosa from
further trauma related to suctioning.
A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway for a patient who vomits when it is inserted. Which
action would be the first that should be taken by the nurse related to this occurrence?
a) Quickly position the patient on his or her side.
b) Put on disposable gloves and remove the oral airway.
c) Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient.
d) Put on sterile gloves and suction the airway. - ANS a) Quickly position the patient on his or
her side.
A nurse is choosing a catheter to use to suction a patient's endotracheal tube via an open
system. On which variable would the nurse base the size of the catheter to use?
a) The age of the patient
b) The size of the endotracheal tube
c) The type of secretions to be suctioned
d) The height and weight of the patient - ANS b) The size of the endotracheal tube
A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old male patient who has been hospitalized for an acute asthma
exacerbation. Which testing methods might the nurse use to measure the patient's oxygen
saturation? Select all that apply.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, a) Thoracentesis
b) Spirometry
c) Pulse oximetry
d) Peak expiratory flow rate
e) Diffusion capacity
f) Maximal respiratory pressure - ANS b, c, d
Spirometers are used to monitor the health status of patients with respiratory disorders, such as
asthma. Pulse oximetry is used to obtain baseline information about the patient's oxygen
saturation level and is also performed for patients with asthma, along with PEFR to monitor
airflow. These three tests may be administered by the nurse.
A patient with COPD is unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) without becoming
exhausted. Which nursing diagnosis best describes this alteration in oxygenation as the
etiology?
a) Decreased Cardiac Output related to difficulty breathing
b) Impaired Gas Exchange related to use of bronchodilators
c) Fatigue related to impaired oxygen transport system
d) Ineffective Airway Clearance related to fatigue - ANS c) Fatigue related to impaired oxygen
transport system
A nurse working in a long-term care facility is providing teaching to patients with altered
oxygenation due to conditions such as asthma and COPD. Which measures would the nurse
recommend? Select all that apply.
a) Refrain from exercise.
b) Reduce anxiety.
c) Eat meals 1 to 2 hours prior to breathing treatments.
d) Eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet.
e) Maintain a high-Fowler's position when possible.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
OXYGENATION AND PERFUSION.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
A nurse caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knows that
hypoxia may occur in patients with respiratory problems. What are signs of this serious
condition? Select all answers that apply.
a) Dyspnea
b) Hypotension
c) Small pulse pressure
d) Decreased respiratory rate
e) Pallor
f) Increased pulse rate - ANS a, c, e, f
If a problem exists in ventilation, respiration, or perfusion, hypoxia may occur. Hypoxia is a
condition in which an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to cells. The most common
symptoms of hypoxia are dyspnea (difficulty breathing), an elevated blood pressure with a small
pulse pressure, increased respiratory and pulse rates, pallor, and cyanosis.
A nurse is suctioning the nasopharyngeal airway of a patient to maintain a patent airway. For
which condition would the nurse anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet?
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,a) The patient vomits during suctioning.
b) The secretions appear to be stomach contents.
c) The catheter touches an unsterile surface.
d) Epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning. - ANS d) Epistaxis is noted with continued
suctioning.
When epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning, the nurse should notify the physician and
anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet. The nasal trumpet will protect the nasal mucosa from
further trauma related to suctioning.
A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway for a patient who vomits when it is inserted. Which
action would be the first that should be taken by the nurse related to this occurrence?
a) Quickly position the patient on his or her side.
b) Put on disposable gloves and remove the oral airway.
c) Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient.
d) Put on sterile gloves and suction the airway. - ANS a) Quickly position the patient on his or
her side.
A nurse is choosing a catheter to use to suction a patient's endotracheal tube via an open
system. On which variable would the nurse base the size of the catheter to use?
a) The age of the patient
b) The size of the endotracheal tube
c) The type of secretions to be suctioned
d) The height and weight of the patient - ANS b) The size of the endotracheal tube
A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old male patient who has been hospitalized for an acute asthma
exacerbation. Which testing methods might the nurse use to measure the patient's oxygen
saturation? Select all that apply.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, a) Thoracentesis
b) Spirometry
c) Pulse oximetry
d) Peak expiratory flow rate
e) Diffusion capacity
f) Maximal respiratory pressure - ANS b, c, d
Spirometers are used to monitor the health status of patients with respiratory disorders, such as
asthma. Pulse oximetry is used to obtain baseline information about the patient's oxygen
saturation level and is also performed for patients with asthma, along with PEFR to monitor
airflow. These three tests may be administered by the nurse.
A patient with COPD is unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) without becoming
exhausted. Which nursing diagnosis best describes this alteration in oxygenation as the
etiology?
a) Decreased Cardiac Output related to difficulty breathing
b) Impaired Gas Exchange related to use of bronchodilators
c) Fatigue related to impaired oxygen transport system
d) Ineffective Airway Clearance related to fatigue - ANS c) Fatigue related to impaired oxygen
transport system
A nurse working in a long-term care facility is providing teaching to patients with altered
oxygenation due to conditions such as asthma and COPD. Which measures would the nurse
recommend? Select all that apply.
a) Refrain from exercise.
b) Reduce anxiety.
c) Eat meals 1 to 2 hours prior to breathing treatments.
d) Eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet.
e) Maintain a high-Fowler's position when possible.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
