NUR1023C EXAM 2 2026/2027 – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS STUDY
GUIDE
• This practice guide is designed to help you master NUR1023C exam content
through active recall — read each question, attempt an answer before looking, then
review the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Each question includes five options (A–E), a clearly highlighted correct answer with
EXPERT RATIONALE, helping you not just memorize but truly understand the
reasoning behind every clinical decision.
NUR1023C EXAM 2 2026/2027 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory system?
A. To pump blood throughout the body
B. To filter waste products from the blood
C. To regulate body temperature
D. To produce red blood cells
E. To facilitate gas exchange between the body and the environment
CORRECT ANSWER: E. To facilitate gas exchange between the body and the
environment
EXPERT RATIONALE: The primary function of the respiratory system is gas exchange —
delivering oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. All other structures and
processes within the respiratory system support this central function.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory rate. Which of the following
findings would be considered normal for an adult?
A. 6 breaths per minute
B. 8 breaths per minute
,C. 16 breaths per minute
D. 28 breaths per minute
E. 35 breaths per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 16 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: Normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12–20 breaths per minute. A
rate of 16 falls within this range. Rates below 12 (bradypnea) or above 20 (tachypnea)
indicate abnormality.
3. Which of the following best describes tachypnea?
A. A respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute
B. Complete cessation of breathing
C. A respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute
D. Difficulty breathing while lying flat
E. Painful breathing
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tachypnea refers to an abnormally rapid respiratory rate, defined
as more than 20 breaths per minute in adults. It can result from fever, anxiety, infection,
or hypoxia.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is
most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Clear breath sounds bilaterally
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Productive cough, fever, and crackles on auscultation
D. Absent breath sounds in all lung fields
,E. Decreased oxygen demand
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Productive cough, fever, and crackles on
auscultation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Pneumonia presents with productive cough, fever, chills, and
crackles (rales) due to fluid consolidation in the alveoli. These findings reflect the
inflammatory response and impaired gas exchange.
5. Which of the following is the correct sequence of airflow through the
respiratory tract?
A. Trachea → larynx → bronchi → alveoli
B. Nose → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → alveoli
C. Bronchi → trachea → larynx → pharynx → nose
D. Alveoli → bronchi → trachea → larynx → pharynx
E. Nose → trachea → bronchi → larynx → alveoli
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Nose → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi →
alveoli
EXPERT RATIONALE: Air enters through the nose, passes through the pharynx and larynx,
travels down the trachea, branches into bronchi, and reaches the alveoli where gas
exchange occurs.
6. A patient presents with SpO₂ of 88% on room air. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Document the finding and reassess in one hour
B. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
C. Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the physician
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
, E. Perform a 12-lead ECG
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the
physician
EXPERT RATIONALE: Normal SpO₂ is 95–100%. An SpO₂ of 88% indicates significant
hypoxemia requiring immediate oxygen supplementation and physician notification to
prevent respiratory failure.
7. Which of the following conditions is characterized by chronic airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
E. Pleuritis
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
EXPERT RATIONALE: COPD is characterized by persistent and progressive airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema,
usually caused by long-term smoking.
8. A nurse is educating a patient about pursed-lip breathing. Which statement
best explains its purpose?
A. It increases the rate of breathing
B. It prevents the need for supplemental oxygen
C. It helps keep airways open longer and improves exhalation
D. It strengthens the diaphragm muscles
E. It reduces the risk of aspiration
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS STUDY
GUIDE
• This practice guide is designed to help you master NUR1023C exam content
through active recall — read each question, attempt an answer before looking, then
review the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Each question includes five options (A–E), a clearly highlighted correct answer with
EXPERT RATIONALE, helping you not just memorize but truly understand the
reasoning behind every clinical decision.
NUR1023C EXAM 2 2026/2027 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory system?
A. To pump blood throughout the body
B. To filter waste products from the blood
C. To regulate body temperature
D. To produce red blood cells
E. To facilitate gas exchange between the body and the environment
CORRECT ANSWER: E. To facilitate gas exchange between the body and the
environment
EXPERT RATIONALE: The primary function of the respiratory system is gas exchange —
delivering oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. All other structures and
processes within the respiratory system support this central function.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory rate. Which of the following
findings would be considered normal for an adult?
A. 6 breaths per minute
B. 8 breaths per minute
,C. 16 breaths per minute
D. 28 breaths per minute
E. 35 breaths per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 16 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: Normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12–20 breaths per minute. A
rate of 16 falls within this range. Rates below 12 (bradypnea) or above 20 (tachypnea)
indicate abnormality.
3. Which of the following best describes tachypnea?
A. A respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute
B. Complete cessation of breathing
C. A respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute
D. Difficulty breathing while lying flat
E. Painful breathing
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tachypnea refers to an abnormally rapid respiratory rate, defined
as more than 20 breaths per minute in adults. It can result from fever, anxiety, infection,
or hypoxia.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which assessment finding is
most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Clear breath sounds bilaterally
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Productive cough, fever, and crackles on auscultation
D. Absent breath sounds in all lung fields
,E. Decreased oxygen demand
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Productive cough, fever, and crackles on
auscultation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Pneumonia presents with productive cough, fever, chills, and
crackles (rales) due to fluid consolidation in the alveoli. These findings reflect the
inflammatory response and impaired gas exchange.
5. Which of the following is the correct sequence of airflow through the
respiratory tract?
A. Trachea → larynx → bronchi → alveoli
B. Nose → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → alveoli
C. Bronchi → trachea → larynx → pharynx → nose
D. Alveoli → bronchi → trachea → larynx → pharynx
E. Nose → trachea → bronchi → larynx → alveoli
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Nose → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi →
alveoli
EXPERT RATIONALE: Air enters through the nose, passes through the pharynx and larynx,
travels down the trachea, branches into bronchi, and reaches the alveoli where gas
exchange occurs.
6. A patient presents with SpO₂ of 88% on room air. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Document the finding and reassess in one hour
B. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
C. Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the physician
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
, E. Perform a 12-lead ECG
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the
physician
EXPERT RATIONALE: Normal SpO₂ is 95–100%. An SpO₂ of 88% indicates significant
hypoxemia requiring immediate oxygen supplementation and physician notification to
prevent respiratory failure.
7. Which of the following conditions is characterized by chronic airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
E. Pleuritis
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
EXPERT RATIONALE: COPD is characterized by persistent and progressive airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema,
usually caused by long-term smoking.
8. A nurse is educating a patient about pursed-lip breathing. Which statement
best explains its purpose?
A. It increases the rate of breathing
B. It prevents the need for supplemental oxygen
C. It helps keep airways open longer and improves exhalation
D. It strengthens the diaphragm muscles
E. It reduces the risk of aspiration
