CHAPTER 19 THORAX AND LUNGS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The vertebra prominens is:
a. The spinous process of C7.
b. Usually nonpalpable in most individuals
с. Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d. Located next to the manubrium of the sternum. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A
When performing respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices a costal angle of approximately
90 degrees. This characteristic is:
a. Observed in patients with kyphosis. b. Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c. A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d. An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
When assessing a patients lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a. Consists of two lobes.
b. Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c. Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest
d. Is shorter than the right lung because of underlying stomach. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A
Which statement about apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the lungs:
а. Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly
b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
с. Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally
d. Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line (MCL). - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅B
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware that the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at
the:
а. Costal angle
, b. Sternal angle.
с. Xiphoid process.
d. Suprasternal notch. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B
During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings in the normal adult lung
include the presence of
a. Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b. Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d. Absent voice sounds and hyperresonant percussion tones. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
The primary muscles of respiration include the:
a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
b. Sternomastoids and scaleni.
с. Trapezii and rectus abdominis.
d. External obliques and pectoralis major. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A
A 65-year-old patient with a history of heart failure comes to the clinic with complaints of being
awakened from sleep with shortness of breath. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Obtaining a detailed health history of the patients allergies and a history of asthma
b. Telling the patient to sleep on his or her right side to facilitate ease of respirations
c. Assessing for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
d. Assuring the patient that paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is normal and will probably resolve within the
next week - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
When assessing tactile fremitus, the nurse recalls that it is normal to feel tactile fremitus most intensely
over which location?
а. Between the scapulae
b. Third intercostal space, MCL
Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The vertebra prominens is:
a. The spinous process of C7.
b. Usually nonpalpable in most individuals
с. Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d. Located next to the manubrium of the sternum. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A
When performing respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices a costal angle of approximately
90 degrees. This characteristic is:
a. Observed in patients with kyphosis. b. Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c. A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d. An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
When assessing a patients lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a. Consists of two lobes.
b. Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c. Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest
d. Is shorter than the right lung because of underlying stomach. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A
Which statement about apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the lungs:
а. Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly
b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
с. Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally
d. Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line (MCL). - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅B
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware that the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at
the:
а. Costal angle
, b. Sternal angle.
с. Xiphoid process.
d. Suprasternal notch. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B
During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings in the normal adult lung
include the presence of
a. Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b. Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d. Absent voice sounds and hyperresonant percussion tones. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
The primary muscles of respiration include the:
a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
b. Sternomastoids and scaleni.
с. Trapezii and rectus abdominis.
d. External obliques and pectoralis major. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A
A 65-year-old patient with a history of heart failure comes to the clinic with complaints of being
awakened from sleep with shortness of breath. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Obtaining a detailed health history of the patients allergies and a history of asthma
b. Telling the patient to sleep on his or her right side to facilitate ease of respirations
c. Assessing for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
d. Assuring the patient that paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is normal and will probably resolve within the
next week - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
When assessing tactile fremitus, the nurse recalls that it is normal to feel tactile fremitus most intensely
over which location?
а. Between the scapulae
b. Third intercostal space, MCL
