Page 1 of 27
NUR 336: GAS EXCHANGE FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 2026
QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS VERIFIED
**The nurse is assigned a group of patients. Which patient would the nurse
identify as being at increased risk for impaired gas exchange? A patient
a. with a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL
b. who has been on anticoagulants for 10 days
c. with a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL
d. with a heart rate of 100 beats/min and blood pressure of 100/60
C. With a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL
The nurse is reviewing the patient's arterial blood gas results. The PaO2 is 96
mm Hg, pH is 7.20, PaCO2 is 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 is 25 mEq/L. What would
the nurse expect to observe on assessment of this patient?
a. Disorientation and tremors
b. Tachycardia and decreased blood pressure
c. Increased anxiety and irritability
d. Hyperventilation and lethargy
A. Disorientation and tremors
The nurse would identify which patient as having a problem of impaired gas
exchange secondary to a perfusion problem? A patient with
a. peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities
b. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
c. chronic asthma
d. severe anemia secondary to chemotherapy
, Page 2 of 27
A. Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities
The nurse is assessing a patient's differential white blood cell count. What
implications would this test have on evaluating the adequacy of a patient's gas
exchange?
a. An elevation of the total white cell count indicates generalized inflammation.
b. Eosinophil count will assist to identify the presence of a respiratory
infection.
c. White cell count will differentiate types of respiratory bacteria.
d. Level of neutrophils provides guidelines to monitor a chronic infection.
A. An elevation of the total white blood cell count indicates generalized inflammation
The acid-base status of a patient is dependent on normal gas exchange. Which
patient would the nurse identify as having an increased risk for the
development of respiratory acidosis? A patient with
a. chronic lung disease with increased carbon dioxide retention
b. acute anxiety, hyperventilation, and decreased carbon dioxide retention
c. decreased cardiac output with increased serum lactic acid production
d. gastric drainage with increased removal of gastric acid
A. Chronic lung disease with increased carbon dioxide retention
Which patient would the nurse identify as being at an increased risk for altered
transport of oxygen? A patient with
a. hemoglobin level of 8.0
b. bronchoconstriction and mucus
c. peripheral arterial disease
d. decreased thoracic expansion
A. Hemoglobin level of 8.0
**A 3-month-old infant is at increased risk for developing anemia. The nurse
would identify which principle contributing to this risk?
a. The infant is becoming more active.
b. There is an increase in intake of breast milk or formula.
, Page 3 of 27
c. The infant is unable to maintain an adequate iron intake.
d. A depletion of fetal hemoglobin occurs.
D. A depletion of fetal hemoglobin occurs
Which clinical management prevention concept would the nurse identify as
representative of secondary prevention?
a. Decreasing venous stasis and risk for pulmonary emboli
b. Implementation of strict hand washing routines
c. Maintaining current vaccination schedules
d. Prevention of pneumonia in patients with chronic lung disease
D. Prevention of pneumonia in patients with chronic lung disease
The nurse would identify which body systems as directly involved in the
process of normal gas exchange? (Select all that apply.)
a. Neurologic system
b. Endocrine system
c. Pulmonary system
d. Immune system
e. Cardiovascular system
f. Hepatic system
A. Neurologic system
C. Pulmonary system
E. Cardiovascular system
The nurse is assessing a patient for the adequacy of ventilation. What
assessment findings would indicate the patient has good ventilation? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Respiratory rate is 24 breaths/min.
b. Oxygen saturation level is 98%.
c. The right side of the thorax expands slightly more than the left.
d. Trachea is just to the left of the sternal notch.
e. Nail beds are pink with a good capillary refill.
f. There is a presence of quiet, effortless breath sounds at lung base
bilaterally.
NUR 336: GAS EXCHANGE FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 2026
QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS VERIFIED
**The nurse is assigned a group of patients. Which patient would the nurse
identify as being at increased risk for impaired gas exchange? A patient
a. with a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL
b. who has been on anticoagulants for 10 days
c. with a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL
d. with a heart rate of 100 beats/min and blood pressure of 100/60
C. With a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL
The nurse is reviewing the patient's arterial blood gas results. The PaO2 is 96
mm Hg, pH is 7.20, PaCO2 is 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 is 25 mEq/L. What would
the nurse expect to observe on assessment of this patient?
a. Disorientation and tremors
b. Tachycardia and decreased blood pressure
c. Increased anxiety and irritability
d. Hyperventilation and lethargy
A. Disorientation and tremors
The nurse would identify which patient as having a problem of impaired gas
exchange secondary to a perfusion problem? A patient with
a. peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities
b. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
c. chronic asthma
d. severe anemia secondary to chemotherapy
, Page 2 of 27
A. Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities
The nurse is assessing a patient's differential white blood cell count. What
implications would this test have on evaluating the adequacy of a patient's gas
exchange?
a. An elevation of the total white cell count indicates generalized inflammation.
b. Eosinophil count will assist to identify the presence of a respiratory
infection.
c. White cell count will differentiate types of respiratory bacteria.
d. Level of neutrophils provides guidelines to monitor a chronic infection.
A. An elevation of the total white blood cell count indicates generalized inflammation
The acid-base status of a patient is dependent on normal gas exchange. Which
patient would the nurse identify as having an increased risk for the
development of respiratory acidosis? A patient with
a. chronic lung disease with increased carbon dioxide retention
b. acute anxiety, hyperventilation, and decreased carbon dioxide retention
c. decreased cardiac output with increased serum lactic acid production
d. gastric drainage with increased removal of gastric acid
A. Chronic lung disease with increased carbon dioxide retention
Which patient would the nurse identify as being at an increased risk for altered
transport of oxygen? A patient with
a. hemoglobin level of 8.0
b. bronchoconstriction and mucus
c. peripheral arterial disease
d. decreased thoracic expansion
A. Hemoglobin level of 8.0
**A 3-month-old infant is at increased risk for developing anemia. The nurse
would identify which principle contributing to this risk?
a. The infant is becoming more active.
b. There is an increase in intake of breast milk or formula.
, Page 3 of 27
c. The infant is unable to maintain an adequate iron intake.
d. A depletion of fetal hemoglobin occurs.
D. A depletion of fetal hemoglobin occurs
Which clinical management prevention concept would the nurse identify as
representative of secondary prevention?
a. Decreasing venous stasis and risk for pulmonary emboli
b. Implementation of strict hand washing routines
c. Maintaining current vaccination schedules
d. Prevention of pneumonia in patients with chronic lung disease
D. Prevention of pneumonia in patients with chronic lung disease
The nurse would identify which body systems as directly involved in the
process of normal gas exchange? (Select all that apply.)
a. Neurologic system
b. Endocrine system
c. Pulmonary system
d. Immune system
e. Cardiovascular system
f. Hepatic system
A. Neurologic system
C. Pulmonary system
E. Cardiovascular system
The nurse is assessing a patient for the adequacy of ventilation. What
assessment findings would indicate the patient has good ventilation? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Respiratory rate is 24 breaths/min.
b. Oxygen saturation level is 98%.
c. The right side of the thorax expands slightly more than the left.
d. Trachea is just to the left of the sternal notch.
e. Nail beds are pink with a good capillary refill.
f. There is a presence of quiet, effortless breath sounds at lung base
bilaterally.
