NR 509 Exam Question Bank
Question 1
The line that bisects the center of each clavicle at a point halfway between the palpated
sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints is the:
midsternal line.
midclavicular line.
mid vertebral line.
mid scapular line.
Explanation:
The midclavicular line bisects the center of each clavicle at a point halfway between the
palpated sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints. It is used as a reference line to
pinpoint a finding vertically on the chest.
Question 2
When palpating the thorax, a crackling, popping noise under the skin is heard. On
auscultation, a sound similar to hair being rubbed between the fingers is noted. These
symptoms could be consistent with:
,pneumonia.
hemothorax.
pneumothorax.
bronchitis.
Explanation:
Subcutaneous emphysema is the condition described in the question. This can be
caused by pneumothorax because this condition allows air to be introduced into the
tissue. Hemothorax refers to blood in the chest and crepitus is not associated with this
condition. Pneumonia and bronchitis do not produce subcutaneous emphysema.
Question 3
To document chest findings located below the scapulae, which one of the following
terms would be used?
Infraclavicular
Supraclavicular
Interscapular
,Infrascapular
Explanation:
The general anatomical terms used to locate chest findings should include the following:
infrascapular refers to below the scapulae; supraclavicular denotes above the clavicles;
infraclavicular refers to that area below the clavicles; and interscapular is between the
scapulae.
Question 4
A 37-year-old female has audible stridor. This type of stridor is consistent with:
bronchiectasis.
pulmonary fibrosis.
cysticfibrosis.
a foreign object lodged in the upper trachea.
Explanation:
Audible stridor is a high-pitched wheeze. This is an ominous sign of upper airway
obstruction in the larynx or trachea. Clubbing of the nails occurs in bronchiectasis,
, congenital heart disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, lung abscess, and
malignancy. These conditions are more characteristic of lower airway diseases.
Question 5
When percussing the right upper posterior area of the chest, a dullness replaces the
resonance sound usually heard in the lung. This sound would be suggestive of:
lobar pneumonia.
emphysema.
asthma.
pneumothorax. Incorrect
Explanation:
Normal lungs are resonant and produce loud low-pitched sounds when percussed. If
dullness replaces resonance, consider a lung with fluid or solid tissue replacing the air.
Examples include pleural effusion, hemothorax, lobar pneumonia, or empyema.
Emphysema, asthma, and a pneumothorax produce hyperresonance when the lungs
are percussed.
Question 6
Orthopnea is typically associated with all of the following conditions except:
Question 1
The line that bisects the center of each clavicle at a point halfway between the palpated
sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints is the:
midsternal line.
midclavicular line.
mid vertebral line.
mid scapular line.
Explanation:
The midclavicular line bisects the center of each clavicle at a point halfway between the
palpated sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints. It is used as a reference line to
pinpoint a finding vertically on the chest.
Question 2
When palpating the thorax, a crackling, popping noise under the skin is heard. On
auscultation, a sound similar to hair being rubbed between the fingers is noted. These
symptoms could be consistent with:
,pneumonia.
hemothorax.
pneumothorax.
bronchitis.
Explanation:
Subcutaneous emphysema is the condition described in the question. This can be
caused by pneumothorax because this condition allows air to be introduced into the
tissue. Hemothorax refers to blood in the chest and crepitus is not associated with this
condition. Pneumonia and bronchitis do not produce subcutaneous emphysema.
Question 3
To document chest findings located below the scapulae, which one of the following
terms would be used?
Infraclavicular
Supraclavicular
Interscapular
,Infrascapular
Explanation:
The general anatomical terms used to locate chest findings should include the following:
infrascapular refers to below the scapulae; supraclavicular denotes above the clavicles;
infraclavicular refers to that area below the clavicles; and interscapular is between the
scapulae.
Question 4
A 37-year-old female has audible stridor. This type of stridor is consistent with:
bronchiectasis.
pulmonary fibrosis.
cysticfibrosis.
a foreign object lodged in the upper trachea.
Explanation:
Audible stridor is a high-pitched wheeze. This is an ominous sign of upper airway
obstruction in the larynx or trachea. Clubbing of the nails occurs in bronchiectasis,
, congenital heart disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, lung abscess, and
malignancy. These conditions are more characteristic of lower airway diseases.
Question 5
When percussing the right upper posterior area of the chest, a dullness replaces the
resonance sound usually heard in the lung. This sound would be suggestive of:
lobar pneumonia.
emphysema.
asthma.
pneumothorax. Incorrect
Explanation:
Normal lungs are resonant and produce loud low-pitched sounds when percussed. If
dullness replaces resonance, consider a lung with fluid or solid tissue replacing the air.
Examples include pleural effusion, hemothorax, lobar pneumonia, or empyema.
Emphysema, asthma, and a pneumothorax produce hyperresonance when the lungs
are percussed.
Question 6
Orthopnea is typically associated with all of the following conditions except:
