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# NCLEX-RN RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
PRACTICE QUESTIONS: SAUNDERS 9TH
EDITION## TEST BANK OF 200+ QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES## BASED ON
THE SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
FOR THE NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION, 9TH
EDITION
# Table of Contents
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Section 1 | Respiratory Assessment & Diagnostic Procedures | 1-30 |
| Section 2 | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) & Emphysema | 31-
60 |
| Section 3 | Asthma | 61-85 |
| Section 4 | Pneumonia & Tuberculosis | 86-110 |
| Section 5 | Chest Trauma & Thoracic Surgery | 111-135 |
| Section 6 | Chest Tube Management | 136-160 |
| Section 7 | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) & Respiratory Failure |
161-180 |
| Section 8 | Pulmonary Embolism & Respiratory Emergencies | 181-200 |
| Section 9 | Oxygen Therapy & Mechanical Ventilation | 201-220 |
| Section 10 | NGN Next Generation NCLEX Case Studies | 221-230 |
,2|Page
# Section 1: Respiratory Assessment & Diagnostic Procedures
**Q1.** The nurse is assessing a client with emphysema. Which finding
indicates the client is using accessory muscles to breathe? Select all that
apply.
A) Tripod positioning (leaning forward with arms supported)
B) Retraction of the intercostal spaces
C) Speaking in full sentences without pausing
D) Use of sternocleidomastoid muscles during inspiration
E) Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute
**Answer: A, B, D**
**Rationale:** Accessory muscle use indicates respiratory distress.
Tripod positioning (A) allows use of accessory muscles by stabilizing
the upper body. Intercostal retractions (B) occur when negative pressure
pulls the soft tissue between ribs inward. Use of sternocleidomastoid
muscles (D) indicates the client is recruiting neck muscles to assist with
inspiration. Speaking in full sentences (C) suggests adequate ventilation,
not distress. A normal respiratory rate of 14 (E) is not indicative of
accessory muscle use .
,3|Page
---
**Q2.** The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a client
with pneumonia. Which finding would the nurse expect to auscultate
over the area of consolidation?
A) Vesicular breath sounds
B) Diminished breath sounds
C) Bronchial breath sounds
D) Absent breath sounds
**Answer: C) Bronchial breath sounds**
**Rationale:** Bronchial breath sounds are normally heard only over
the trachea, but they are heard over peripheral lung fields when
consolidation is present (e.g., pneumonia). The density of consolidated
tissue transmits sound more efficiently. Vesicular breath sounds are
normal over peripheral lung fields. Diminished or absent breath sounds
suggest pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or severe obstruction.
---
**Q3.** The nurse is assessing the functioning of a chest tube drainage
system in a client who has just returned from the recovery room
, 4|Page
following a thoracotomy. Which are expected assessment findings?
Select all that apply.
A) Excessive bubbling in the water seal chamber
B) Drainage system maintained below the client's chest
C) 50 mL of drainage in the drainage collection chamber
D) Occlusive dressing in place over the chest tube insertion site
E) Fluctuation of water in the tube in the water seal chamber during
inhalation and exhalation
F) Vigorous bubbling in the suction control chamber
**Answer: B, C, D, E**
**Rationale:** The drainage system must be kept below chest level to
allow gravity drainage (B). 50 mL of drainage is not excessive
immediately post-op (C). An occlusive dressing prevents air from
entering the pleural space (D). Fluctuation (tidaling) indicates a patent
system and is expected (E). Excessive or continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber indicates an air leak (A). Gentle, not vigorous,
bubbling should be noted in the suction control chamber (F) .
---
# NCLEX-RN RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
PRACTICE QUESTIONS: SAUNDERS 9TH
EDITION## TEST BANK OF 200+ QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES## BASED ON
THE SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
FOR THE NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION, 9TH
EDITION
# Table of Contents
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Section 1 | Respiratory Assessment & Diagnostic Procedures | 1-30 |
| Section 2 | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) & Emphysema | 31-
60 |
| Section 3 | Asthma | 61-85 |
| Section 4 | Pneumonia & Tuberculosis | 86-110 |
| Section 5 | Chest Trauma & Thoracic Surgery | 111-135 |
| Section 6 | Chest Tube Management | 136-160 |
| Section 7 | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) & Respiratory Failure |
161-180 |
| Section 8 | Pulmonary Embolism & Respiratory Emergencies | 181-200 |
| Section 9 | Oxygen Therapy & Mechanical Ventilation | 201-220 |
| Section 10 | NGN Next Generation NCLEX Case Studies | 221-230 |
,2|Page
# Section 1: Respiratory Assessment & Diagnostic Procedures
**Q1.** The nurse is assessing a client with emphysema. Which finding
indicates the client is using accessory muscles to breathe? Select all that
apply.
A) Tripod positioning (leaning forward with arms supported)
B) Retraction of the intercostal spaces
C) Speaking in full sentences without pausing
D) Use of sternocleidomastoid muscles during inspiration
E) Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute
**Answer: A, B, D**
**Rationale:** Accessory muscle use indicates respiratory distress.
Tripod positioning (A) allows use of accessory muscles by stabilizing
the upper body. Intercostal retractions (B) occur when negative pressure
pulls the soft tissue between ribs inward. Use of sternocleidomastoid
muscles (D) indicates the client is recruiting neck muscles to assist with
inspiration. Speaking in full sentences (C) suggests adequate ventilation,
not distress. A normal respiratory rate of 14 (E) is not indicative of
accessory muscle use .
,3|Page
---
**Q2.** The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a client
with pneumonia. Which finding would the nurse expect to auscultate
over the area of consolidation?
A) Vesicular breath sounds
B) Diminished breath sounds
C) Bronchial breath sounds
D) Absent breath sounds
**Answer: C) Bronchial breath sounds**
**Rationale:** Bronchial breath sounds are normally heard only over
the trachea, but they are heard over peripheral lung fields when
consolidation is present (e.g., pneumonia). The density of consolidated
tissue transmits sound more efficiently. Vesicular breath sounds are
normal over peripheral lung fields. Diminished or absent breath sounds
suggest pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or severe obstruction.
---
**Q3.** The nurse is assessing the functioning of a chest tube drainage
system in a client who has just returned from the recovery room
, 4|Page
following a thoracotomy. Which are expected assessment findings?
Select all that apply.
A) Excessive bubbling in the water seal chamber
B) Drainage system maintained below the client's chest
C) 50 mL of drainage in the drainage collection chamber
D) Occlusive dressing in place over the chest tube insertion site
E) Fluctuation of water in the tube in the water seal chamber during
inhalation and exhalation
F) Vigorous bubbling in the suction control chamber
**Answer: B, C, D, E**
**Rationale:** The drainage system must be kept below chest level to
allow gravity drainage (B). 50 mL of drainage is not excessive
immediately post-op (C). An occlusive dressing prevents air from
entering the pleural space (D). Fluctuation (tidaling) indicates a patent
system and is expected (E). Excessive or continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber indicates an air leak (A). Gentle, not vigorous,
bubbling should be noted in the suction control chamber (F) .
---
