UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA -LAS VEGAS
SCHOOL OF NURSING / COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
FINAL SPRING EXAMINATION PAPER 2 –[2026]
OXYGENATION POTTER. FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
HIGHER TIER SCORING EXAM| GRADE A+
Course Title: _______________________
Course Code: _______________________
Date: ______________________________
Time Allowed: ______________________
A nurse explains the function of the alveoli to a patient with respiratory problems. Which
information about the alveoli's function will the nurse share with the patient?
a. Carries out gas exchange.
b. Regulates tidal volume.
c. Produces hemoglobin.
d. Stores oxygen.
ANS: A
The alveolus is a capillary membrane that allows gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
during respiration. The alveoli do not store oxygen, regulate tidal volume, or produce
hemoglobin.
,A nurse auscultates heart sounds. When the nurse hears S2, which valves is the nurse hearing
close?
a. Aortic and mitral
b. Mitral and tricuspid
c. Aortic and pulmonic
d. Mitral and pulmonic
ANS: C
As the ventricles empty, the ventricular pressures decrease, allowing closure of the aortic and
pulmonic valves, producing the second heart sound, S2. The mitral and tricuspid produce the
first heart sound, S1. The aortic and mitral do not close at the same time. The mitral and
pulmonic do not close at the same time.
The nurse is teaching about the process of exchanging gases through the alveolar capillary
membrane. Which term will the nurse use to describe this process?
a. Ventilation
b. Surfactant
c. Perfusion
d. Diffusion
ANS: D
Diffusion is the process of gases exchanging across the alveoli and capillaries of body tissues.
Ventilation is the process of moving gases into and out of the lungs. Surfactant is a chemical
produced in the lungs to maintain the surface tension of the alveoli and keep them from
collapsing. Perfusion is the ability of the cardiovascular system to carry oxygenated blood to
tissues and return deoxygenated blood to the heart.
, A nurse is caring for a patient who was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in cervical
trauma to C4. Which assessment is the priority?
a. Pulse
b. Respirations
c. Temperature
d. Blood pressure
ANS: B
Respirations and oxygen saturation are the priorities. Cervical trauma at C3 to C5 usually results
in paralysis of the phrenic nerve. When the phrenic nerve is damaged, the diaphragm does not
descend properly, thus reducing inspiratory lung volumes and causing hypoxemia. While pulse
and blood pressure are important, respirations are the priority. Temperature is not a high
priority in this situation.
The patient is breathing normally. Which process does the nurse consider is working properly
when the patient inspires?
a. Stimulation of chemical receptors in the aorta
b. Reduction of arterial oxygen saturation levels
c. Requirement of elastic recoil lung properties
d. Enhancement of accessory muscle usage
ANS: A
Inspiration is an active process, stimulated by chemical receptors in the aorta. Reduced arterial
oxygen saturation levels indicate hypoxemia, an abnormal finding. Expiration is a passive
process that depends on the elastic recoil properties of the lungs, requiring little or no muscle
work. Prolonged use of the accessory muscles does not promote effective ventilation and
causes fatigue
SCHOOL OF NURSING / COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
FINAL SPRING EXAMINATION PAPER 2 –[2026]
OXYGENATION POTTER. FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
HIGHER TIER SCORING EXAM| GRADE A+
Course Title: _______________________
Course Code: _______________________
Date: ______________________________
Time Allowed: ______________________
A nurse explains the function of the alveoli to a patient with respiratory problems. Which
information about the alveoli's function will the nurse share with the patient?
a. Carries out gas exchange.
b. Regulates tidal volume.
c. Produces hemoglobin.
d. Stores oxygen.
ANS: A
The alveolus is a capillary membrane that allows gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
during respiration. The alveoli do not store oxygen, regulate tidal volume, or produce
hemoglobin.
,A nurse auscultates heart sounds. When the nurse hears S2, which valves is the nurse hearing
close?
a. Aortic and mitral
b. Mitral and tricuspid
c. Aortic and pulmonic
d. Mitral and pulmonic
ANS: C
As the ventricles empty, the ventricular pressures decrease, allowing closure of the aortic and
pulmonic valves, producing the second heart sound, S2. The mitral and tricuspid produce the
first heart sound, S1. The aortic and mitral do not close at the same time. The mitral and
pulmonic do not close at the same time.
The nurse is teaching about the process of exchanging gases through the alveolar capillary
membrane. Which term will the nurse use to describe this process?
a. Ventilation
b. Surfactant
c. Perfusion
d. Diffusion
ANS: D
Diffusion is the process of gases exchanging across the alveoli and capillaries of body tissues.
Ventilation is the process of moving gases into and out of the lungs. Surfactant is a chemical
produced in the lungs to maintain the surface tension of the alveoli and keep them from
collapsing. Perfusion is the ability of the cardiovascular system to carry oxygenated blood to
tissues and return deoxygenated blood to the heart.
, A nurse is caring for a patient who was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in cervical
trauma to C4. Which assessment is the priority?
a. Pulse
b. Respirations
c. Temperature
d. Blood pressure
ANS: B
Respirations and oxygen saturation are the priorities. Cervical trauma at C3 to C5 usually results
in paralysis of the phrenic nerve. When the phrenic nerve is damaged, the diaphragm does not
descend properly, thus reducing inspiratory lung volumes and causing hypoxemia. While pulse
and blood pressure are important, respirations are the priority. Temperature is not a high
priority in this situation.
The patient is breathing normally. Which process does the nurse consider is working properly
when the patient inspires?
a. Stimulation of chemical receptors in the aorta
b. Reduction of arterial oxygen saturation levels
c. Requirement of elastic recoil lung properties
d. Enhancement of accessory muscle usage
ANS: A
Inspiration is an active process, stimulated by chemical receptors in the aorta. Reduced arterial
oxygen saturation levels indicate hypoxemia, an abnormal finding. Expiration is a passive
process that depends on the elastic recoil properties of the lungs, requiring little or no muscle
work. Prolonged use of the accessory muscles does not promote effective ventilation and
causes fatigue
