WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
OA STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Obtaining a Pulse Rate.
Answer: Apical is the most accurate
Heartbeat is one series of the LUB and DUB sounds
⩥ Common Pulse Points.
Answer: Apical: at the apex. Of the heart
Carotid: between midline and side of neck
Brachial: medially in the antecunital space
Radial: laterally on the anterior wrist
Femoral: in the groin fold
Popliteal: behind the knee
⩥ Variances in Pulse Rate.
Answer: Bradycardia: rate less than 60 bpm
Tachycardia: rate greater than 100 bpm
,⩥ Pulse Quaility.
Answer: 0 = Absent
1 = Weak and thready
2 = Normal quality
3 = Bounding or full
⩥ Stroke Volume.
Answer: The quantity of blood pumped out by each contraction of the
left ventricle
⩥ Cardiac Output.
Answer: Stroke Volume x Pulse Rate
⩥ Respiration.
Answer: The exchange of oygen and carbon dioxide in the body
Two parts: mechanical and chemical
⩥ Mechanical Respiration.
Answer: Pulmonary ventilation; breathing
Active movement of air in and out of the respiratory system
⩥ Chemical Respiration.
,Answer: Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body
Exchange of gases between capillaries and tissues
⩥ Inspiration.
Answer: Drawing air into lungs
Involves the ribs and the diaphragm, creating negative pressure and
alllowing air to flow into the lungs
⩥ Expiration.
Answer: Relaxation of thoracic muscles and diaphragm, causing air to
expel from the lungs
⩥ Respiratory Rate.
Answer: Apnea: cessation of breathing
Bradypnea: abnormally slow breathing
Tachypnea: abnormally fast breathing
⩥ Respiratory Depth.
Answer: Shallow
Deep
, ⩥ Respiratory Rhythm.
Answer: Assessment of pattern of respiration
⩥ Cheyne-Stokes/Biot.
Answer: Irregular respiratory rate followed by cessation of breathing
Cheyne-Stokes occurs before death
⩥ Respiratory Effort.
Answer: Work of breathing
Dyspnea: labored breathing
Orthopnea: inability to breathe when horizontal
⩥ Varitions in Breathing Sounds: Wheeze.
Answer: High-pitched continuous musical sounds, usually heard on
expiration
⩥ Varitions in Breathing Sounds: Rhonchi.
Answer: Low-pitched countinuous sounds caused by secretions in the
large airways
⩥ Varitions in Breathing Sounds: Crackles.
Answer: Discountinuous sounds usually heard on inspiration; may be
high-pitched popping sounds or low-pitched bubbling sounds
OA STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Obtaining a Pulse Rate.
Answer: Apical is the most accurate
Heartbeat is one series of the LUB and DUB sounds
⩥ Common Pulse Points.
Answer: Apical: at the apex. Of the heart
Carotid: between midline and side of neck
Brachial: medially in the antecunital space
Radial: laterally on the anterior wrist
Femoral: in the groin fold
Popliteal: behind the knee
⩥ Variances in Pulse Rate.
Answer: Bradycardia: rate less than 60 bpm
Tachycardia: rate greater than 100 bpm
,⩥ Pulse Quaility.
Answer: 0 = Absent
1 = Weak and thready
2 = Normal quality
3 = Bounding or full
⩥ Stroke Volume.
Answer: The quantity of blood pumped out by each contraction of the
left ventricle
⩥ Cardiac Output.
Answer: Stroke Volume x Pulse Rate
⩥ Respiration.
Answer: The exchange of oygen and carbon dioxide in the body
Two parts: mechanical and chemical
⩥ Mechanical Respiration.
Answer: Pulmonary ventilation; breathing
Active movement of air in and out of the respiratory system
⩥ Chemical Respiration.
,Answer: Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body
Exchange of gases between capillaries and tissues
⩥ Inspiration.
Answer: Drawing air into lungs
Involves the ribs and the diaphragm, creating negative pressure and
alllowing air to flow into the lungs
⩥ Expiration.
Answer: Relaxation of thoracic muscles and diaphragm, causing air to
expel from the lungs
⩥ Respiratory Rate.
Answer: Apnea: cessation of breathing
Bradypnea: abnormally slow breathing
Tachypnea: abnormally fast breathing
⩥ Respiratory Depth.
Answer: Shallow
Deep
, ⩥ Respiratory Rhythm.
Answer: Assessment of pattern of respiration
⩥ Cheyne-Stokes/Biot.
Answer: Irregular respiratory rate followed by cessation of breathing
Cheyne-Stokes occurs before death
⩥ Respiratory Effort.
Answer: Work of breathing
Dyspnea: labored breathing
Orthopnea: inability to breathe when horizontal
⩥ Varitions in Breathing Sounds: Wheeze.
Answer: High-pitched continuous musical sounds, usually heard on
expiration
⩥ Varitions in Breathing Sounds: Rhonchi.
Answer: Low-pitched countinuous sounds caused by secretions in the
large airways
⩥ Varitions in Breathing Sounds: Crackles.
Answer: Discountinuous sounds usually heard on inspiration; may be
high-pitched popping sounds or low-pitched bubbling sounds
