ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL RESPIRATORY EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GUARANTEED PASS 2026
11. A patient with complicated deviated septum is hospitalized to have septo- plasty.
Which of the following findings must you report to the surgeon before the surgery?
A. Serum sodium is 134 mEq/L.
B. PT 12 seconds.
C. Serum potassium is 4.8 mEq/L.
D. Platelets counts is 120,000/ L: D. Platelets counts is 120,000/ L
Low platelets= high risk for bleeding (NL 150,000-400,000 per microliter)
12. After a patient has undergone a septoplasty, which nursing intervention will be
included in the plan of care?
A. Educate the patient about how to safely remove and reapply nasal splint.
B. Reassure the patient that the nose will look normal when the swelling subsides
C. Instruct the patient to keep the head elevated for 48 hours to minimize swelling and
pain.
,D. Teach the patient to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain
control.: C. Instruct the patient to keep the head elevated for 48 hours to minimize
swelling and pain.
Maintaining the head in an elevated position will decrease the amount of nasal swelling.
NSAIDs increase the risk for postoperative bleeding and should not be used
postoperatively. The patient would not be taught to remove or reapply nasal packing,
which is usually removed by the surgeon on the day after surgery. Although return to a
preinjury appearance is the goal of the surgery, it is not always possible to achieve this
result.
13. Which action should you take first when a patient develops a nosebleed?
A. Pack both nares tightly with 1/2-inch ribbon gauze.
B. Pinch the lower portion of the nose for 10 minutes.
C. Prepare supplies that will be needed for cauterization.
D. Apply ice compresses over the patient's nose and cheeks.: B. Pinch the lower portion
of the nose for 10 minutes.
The first nursing action for epistaxis is to apply direct pressure by pinching the nostrils.
Application of cold packs may decrease blood flow to the area somewhat, but will not be
sufficient to stop bleeding. Cauterization or nasal packing may be needed if pressure to
,the nares does not stop bleeding, but these are not the first actions to take for
nosebleed. 14. You are caring for a hospitalized 82-year-old patient who has nasal
packing in place to treat a nosebleed. Which of the following assessment findings will
require the most immediate action?
A. The patient complains of level 7 (0 to 10 scale) pain.
B. The patient's temperature is 100.1° F (37.8° C).
C. The nose appears red and swollen.
D. The oxygen saturation is 89%.: D. The oxygen saturation is 89%.
Older patients with nasal packing are at risk of aspiration or airway obstruction. An
O2 saturation of 89% should alert the nurse to assess further for these complica- tions.
The other assessment data also indicate a need for nursing action but not as immediately
as the fall in O2 saturation.
15. When teaching the patient with allergic rhinitis about management of the condition,
you should explain that
A. over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines cause sedation, so prescription an-
tihistamines are usually ordered.
, B. corticosteroid nasal sprays will reduce inflammation, but systemic effects limit their
use.
C. Identification and avoidance of environmental triggers are the best way to avoid
symptoms.
D. Use of oral antihistamines for a few weeks before the allergy season may prevent
reactions.: C. Identification and avoidance of environmental triggers are the best way to
avoid symptoms.
16. After discussing management of upper respiratory infections (URI) with a patient
who has acute viral rhinitis, you determine that additional teaching is needed when the
patient says:
A. "I can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to treat discomfort."
B. "I will drink lots of juices and other fluids to stay hydrated."
C. "I can use my nasal decongestant spray until the congestion is all gone."
D. "I will watch for changes in nasal secretions or the sputum that I cough up.":
C. "I can use my nasal decongestant spray until the congestion is all gone."
17. You obtain the following assessment data in a 76-year-old patient who has
influenza. Which information will be most important to communicate to the health
care provider?
A. Fever of 100.4° F (38° C)
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GUARANTEED PASS 2026
11. A patient with complicated deviated septum is hospitalized to have septo- plasty.
Which of the following findings must you report to the surgeon before the surgery?
A. Serum sodium is 134 mEq/L.
B. PT 12 seconds.
C. Serum potassium is 4.8 mEq/L.
D. Platelets counts is 120,000/ L: D. Platelets counts is 120,000/ L
Low platelets= high risk for bleeding (NL 150,000-400,000 per microliter)
12. After a patient has undergone a septoplasty, which nursing intervention will be
included in the plan of care?
A. Educate the patient about how to safely remove and reapply nasal splint.
B. Reassure the patient that the nose will look normal when the swelling subsides
C. Instruct the patient to keep the head elevated for 48 hours to minimize swelling and
pain.
,D. Teach the patient to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain
control.: C. Instruct the patient to keep the head elevated for 48 hours to minimize
swelling and pain.
Maintaining the head in an elevated position will decrease the amount of nasal swelling.
NSAIDs increase the risk for postoperative bleeding and should not be used
postoperatively. The patient would not be taught to remove or reapply nasal packing,
which is usually removed by the surgeon on the day after surgery. Although return to a
preinjury appearance is the goal of the surgery, it is not always possible to achieve this
result.
13. Which action should you take first when a patient develops a nosebleed?
A. Pack both nares tightly with 1/2-inch ribbon gauze.
B. Pinch the lower portion of the nose for 10 minutes.
C. Prepare supplies that will be needed for cauterization.
D. Apply ice compresses over the patient's nose and cheeks.: B. Pinch the lower portion
of the nose for 10 minutes.
The first nursing action for epistaxis is to apply direct pressure by pinching the nostrils.
Application of cold packs may decrease blood flow to the area somewhat, but will not be
sufficient to stop bleeding. Cauterization or nasal packing may be needed if pressure to
,the nares does not stop bleeding, but these are not the first actions to take for
nosebleed. 14. You are caring for a hospitalized 82-year-old patient who has nasal
packing in place to treat a nosebleed. Which of the following assessment findings will
require the most immediate action?
A. The patient complains of level 7 (0 to 10 scale) pain.
B. The patient's temperature is 100.1° F (37.8° C).
C. The nose appears red and swollen.
D. The oxygen saturation is 89%.: D. The oxygen saturation is 89%.
Older patients with nasal packing are at risk of aspiration or airway obstruction. An
O2 saturation of 89% should alert the nurse to assess further for these complica- tions.
The other assessment data also indicate a need for nursing action but not as immediately
as the fall in O2 saturation.
15. When teaching the patient with allergic rhinitis about management of the condition,
you should explain that
A. over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines cause sedation, so prescription an-
tihistamines are usually ordered.
, B. corticosteroid nasal sprays will reduce inflammation, but systemic effects limit their
use.
C. Identification and avoidance of environmental triggers are the best way to avoid
symptoms.
D. Use of oral antihistamines for a few weeks before the allergy season may prevent
reactions.: C. Identification and avoidance of environmental triggers are the best way to
avoid symptoms.
16. After discussing management of upper respiratory infections (URI) with a patient
who has acute viral rhinitis, you determine that additional teaching is needed when the
patient says:
A. "I can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to treat discomfort."
B. "I will drink lots of juices and other fluids to stay hydrated."
C. "I can use my nasal decongestant spray until the congestion is all gone."
D. "I will watch for changes in nasal secretions or the sputum that I cough up.":
C. "I can use my nasal decongestant spray until the congestion is all gone."
17. You obtain the following assessment data in a 76-year-old patient who has
influenza. Which information will be most important to communicate to the health
care provider?
A. Fever of 100.4° F (38° C)
