NR 325 Adult Health III - Week 3 Study Guide Quiz 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. Which assessment finding is the hallmark sign of Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Hypercapnia despite increased oxygen delivery
B. Respiratory acidosis with a pH of 7.30
C. Bilateral wheezing in the upper lobes
D. Refractory hypoxemia despite high FiO2 levels
Answer: D
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, which is low arterial oxygen despite high concentrations
of inspired oxygen, is the hallmark sign of ARDS.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient on a mechanical ventilator. The high-pressure
alarm sounds. Which of the following is a possible cause?
A. Patient biting the endotracheal tube
B. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
C. Cuff leak in the endotracheal tube
D. Extubation of the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as the patient
biting the tube, secretions, or kinking of the tubing.
,3. In the exudative phase of ARDS, what physiological change primarily occurs?
A. Destruction of the pulmonary capillary bed
B. Formation of hyaline membranes and pulmonary edema
C. Increased lung compliance and elasticity
D. Proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen
Answer: B
Rationale: The exudative phase involves increased capillary permeability, causing fluid to
leak into the alveoli and the formation of hyaline membranes.
4. A patient with a pulmonary embolism is being treated with a Heparin
infusion. Which lab value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count only
D. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin therapy.
5. Which positioning technique is most effective in improving oxygenation for a
patient with severe ARDS?
A. High-Fowler’s position
B. Left lateral recumbent
C. Prone positioning
D. Trendelenburg position
Answer: C
Rationale: Prone positioning helps recruit collapsed alveoli in the posterior lung fields and
improves V/Q matching in ARDS.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) in a
patient with ARDS?
A. To keep alveoli open at the end of expiration
B. To prevent barotrauma from high tidal volumes
C. To decrease the workload of the heart
D. To increase the patient’s respiratory rate
Answer: A
Rationale: PEEP keeps the alveoli open at the end of expiration, which improves gas
exchange and prevents alveolar collapse.
7. A patient’s ABG results are pH 7.28, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) and high PaCO2 (>45) indicate respiratory acidosis.
8. Which of the following is a component of the Ventilator-Associated
Pneumonia (VAP) bundle?
A. Keeping the head of the bed flat
B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics daily
C. Checking gastric residuals every 12 hours
D. Daily ‘sedation holidays’ and weaning assessments
Answer: D
Rationale: The VAP bundle includes sedation holidays, HOB elevation (30-45 degrees),
peptic ulcer prophylaxis, and DVT prophylaxis.
College
1. Which assessment finding is the hallmark sign of Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Hypercapnia despite increased oxygen delivery
B. Respiratory acidosis with a pH of 7.30
C. Bilateral wheezing in the upper lobes
D. Refractory hypoxemia despite high FiO2 levels
Answer: D
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, which is low arterial oxygen despite high concentrations
of inspired oxygen, is the hallmark sign of ARDS.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient on a mechanical ventilator. The high-pressure
alarm sounds. Which of the following is a possible cause?
A. Patient biting the endotracheal tube
B. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
C. Cuff leak in the endotracheal tube
D. Extubation of the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as the patient
biting the tube, secretions, or kinking of the tubing.
,3. In the exudative phase of ARDS, what physiological change primarily occurs?
A. Destruction of the pulmonary capillary bed
B. Formation of hyaline membranes and pulmonary edema
C. Increased lung compliance and elasticity
D. Proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen
Answer: B
Rationale: The exudative phase involves increased capillary permeability, causing fluid to
leak into the alveoli and the formation of hyaline membranes.
4. A patient with a pulmonary embolism is being treated with a Heparin
infusion. Which lab value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count only
D. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin therapy.
5. Which positioning technique is most effective in improving oxygenation for a
patient with severe ARDS?
A. High-Fowler’s position
B. Left lateral recumbent
C. Prone positioning
D. Trendelenburg position
Answer: C
Rationale: Prone positioning helps recruit collapsed alveoli in the posterior lung fields and
improves V/Q matching in ARDS.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) in a
patient with ARDS?
A. To keep alveoli open at the end of expiration
B. To prevent barotrauma from high tidal volumes
C. To decrease the workload of the heart
D. To increase the patient’s respiratory rate
Answer: A
Rationale: PEEP keeps the alveoli open at the end of expiration, which improves gas
exchange and prevents alveolar collapse.
7. A patient’s ABG results are pH 7.28, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) and high PaCO2 (>45) indicate respiratory acidosis.
8. Which of the following is a component of the Ventilator-Associated
Pneumonia (VAP) bundle?
A. Keeping the head of the bed flat
B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics daily
C. Checking gastric residuals every 12 hours
D. Daily ‘sedation holidays’ and weaning assessments
Answer: D
Rationale: The VAP bundle includes sedation holidays, HOB elevation (30-45 degrees),
peptic ulcer prophylaxis, and DVT prophylaxis.
