UNDERSTANDING PATHO EXAM SUCCESS: ULTIMATE
A+, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BREAKDOWN
An adult client with a history of worsening respiratory symptoms has presented for care. Which
assessment question will best allow the clinician to address the possibility of chronic bronchitis?
"Do you know if you had respiratory syncytial virus as a child?"
"Have you ever been immunized against pneumococcal pneumonia?"
"Do you have a family history of lung disease?"
"Do you tend to have a cough even when you don't feel sick?"
"Do you tend to have a cough even when you don't feel sick?"
A client sustained a puncture injury to the chest resulting in development of a tension pneumothorax.
What is the pathogenesis behind a tension pneumothorax?
Expired air exits the bleeding wound at a faster rate than inhalation.
Air is permitted to enter but not leave the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
The opposite lung hyperinflates to compensate for the collapsed lung.
Blebs on the lung surface rupture due to increased intrapleual pressure.
Air is permitted to enter but not leave the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
Oxygen has been prescribed for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which
amount of oxygen is considered most appropriate for the COPD client?
1-2L/min
Prolonged immobility is implicated in the development of which disorder?
Atelectasis and pulmonary embolism
Sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Bronchitis and bronchiectasis
Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale
Atelectasis and pulmonary embolism
Pain is an expected assessment finding in clients who have which lung disease?
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Pleuritis
Asthma
Pleural effusion
Pleuritis
The parents of a child with cystic fibrosis ask the nurse to explain the sweat test performed on their
newborn. How should the nurse respond?
,The sweat test evaluates the infant's ability to sweat in response to heat.
Cystic fibrosis decreases the amount of salt in the infant's sweat.
The sweat test measures the concentration of salt in the infant's sweat.
Abnormal pancreatic enzymes may cause the infant to sweat more.
The sweat test measures the concentration of salt in the infant's sweat.
A child struggling to breathe is brought to the emergency department with a prolonged bronchospasm
and severe hypoxemia. Assessment revealed the use of accessory muscles, a weak cough, audible
wheezing sound, moist skin, and tachycardia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Cystic fibrosis
Pulmonary embolism
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Severe asthma attack
Asthma
A child is brought to the emergency department with an asthma attack. Assessment revealed the use
of accessory muscles, a weak cough, audible wheezing sound, moist skin, and tachycardia. Which drug
will the nurse anticipate administering first?
Oral corticosteroids
Anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium
Anti-inflammatory agents such as sodium cromolyn
Short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol (SABA)
Short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol (SABA)
An older adult client who was recently diagnosed with emphysema asks the nurse what caused the
disease. Which statement is the best response?
"There is no known cause for emphysema; however, it does seem to run in families. Has anyone in
your family been diagnosed with this disease?"
"One of the causes of emphysema is a history of cigarette smoking that causes damage to the lungs.
Have you ever smoked?"
"Emphysema is a permanent dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles caused by destruction of the
muscle and elastic supporting tissue as the result of infection and inflammation."
"This disease is seen most commonly in middle-aged men and is associated with chronic irritation
from smoking and recurrent infections."
"One of the causes of emphysema is a history of cigarette smoking that causes damage to the lungs.
Have you ever smoked?"
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder involving the secretion of fluids in specific
exocrine glands. The genetic defect in CF inclines a person to chronic respiratory infections from a
small group of organisms. Which organisms create chronic infection in a child with cystic fibrosis?
, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli
Haemophilus influenzae and influenza A
Staphylococcus aureus and hepatitis C
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
A client presents with venous congestion, peripheral edema, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a
productive cough. The client appears drowsy and has a hard time maintaining consciousness. The
client is diagnosed with cor pulmonale. What compensatory mechanism may be present?
Alkalosis
Polycythemia
Leukocytosis
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
Polycythemia
Which client most likely faces the highest risk of developing secondary pulmonary hypertension?
A client with COPD and a 35 pack-year smoking history.
An older adult client who has been hospitalized for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia
A client with asthma who uses her inhaled bronchodilator more often than prescribed
A client who suffered a thermal injury to his lungs in a fire
A client with COPD and a 35 pack-year smoking history.
The emergency room provider diagnoses a client with a hemothorax. Which could be possible causes
of this condition?
Fractured ribs following car accident
Congestive heart failure resulting with edema around the heart
Fluid imbalances from renal failure
Excessive coughing from pneumonia
Fractured ribs following car accident
A child is experiencing an acute exacerbation of asthma. Which quick-acting treatment is most
appropriate for this client?
Antileukotrienes
beta-adrenergic agonists
Anti-inflammatory agents
Leukotrienes
beta-adrenergic agonists
A+, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BREAKDOWN
An adult client with a history of worsening respiratory symptoms has presented for care. Which
assessment question will best allow the clinician to address the possibility of chronic bronchitis?
"Do you know if you had respiratory syncytial virus as a child?"
"Have you ever been immunized against pneumococcal pneumonia?"
"Do you have a family history of lung disease?"
"Do you tend to have a cough even when you don't feel sick?"
"Do you tend to have a cough even when you don't feel sick?"
A client sustained a puncture injury to the chest resulting in development of a tension pneumothorax.
What is the pathogenesis behind a tension pneumothorax?
Expired air exits the bleeding wound at a faster rate than inhalation.
Air is permitted to enter but not leave the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
The opposite lung hyperinflates to compensate for the collapsed lung.
Blebs on the lung surface rupture due to increased intrapleual pressure.
Air is permitted to enter but not leave the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
Oxygen has been prescribed for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which
amount of oxygen is considered most appropriate for the COPD client?
1-2L/min
Prolonged immobility is implicated in the development of which disorder?
Atelectasis and pulmonary embolism
Sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Bronchitis and bronchiectasis
Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale
Atelectasis and pulmonary embolism
Pain is an expected assessment finding in clients who have which lung disease?
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Pleuritis
Asthma
Pleural effusion
Pleuritis
The parents of a child with cystic fibrosis ask the nurse to explain the sweat test performed on their
newborn. How should the nurse respond?
,The sweat test evaluates the infant's ability to sweat in response to heat.
Cystic fibrosis decreases the amount of salt in the infant's sweat.
The sweat test measures the concentration of salt in the infant's sweat.
Abnormal pancreatic enzymes may cause the infant to sweat more.
The sweat test measures the concentration of salt in the infant's sweat.
A child struggling to breathe is brought to the emergency department with a prolonged bronchospasm
and severe hypoxemia. Assessment revealed the use of accessory muscles, a weak cough, audible
wheezing sound, moist skin, and tachycardia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Cystic fibrosis
Pulmonary embolism
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Severe asthma attack
Asthma
A child is brought to the emergency department with an asthma attack. Assessment revealed the use
of accessory muscles, a weak cough, audible wheezing sound, moist skin, and tachycardia. Which drug
will the nurse anticipate administering first?
Oral corticosteroids
Anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium
Anti-inflammatory agents such as sodium cromolyn
Short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol (SABA)
Short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol (SABA)
An older adult client who was recently diagnosed with emphysema asks the nurse what caused the
disease. Which statement is the best response?
"There is no known cause for emphysema; however, it does seem to run in families. Has anyone in
your family been diagnosed with this disease?"
"One of the causes of emphysema is a history of cigarette smoking that causes damage to the lungs.
Have you ever smoked?"
"Emphysema is a permanent dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles caused by destruction of the
muscle and elastic supporting tissue as the result of infection and inflammation."
"This disease is seen most commonly in middle-aged men and is associated with chronic irritation
from smoking and recurrent infections."
"One of the causes of emphysema is a history of cigarette smoking that causes damage to the lungs.
Have you ever smoked?"
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder involving the secretion of fluids in specific
exocrine glands. The genetic defect in CF inclines a person to chronic respiratory infections from a
small group of organisms. Which organisms create chronic infection in a child with cystic fibrosis?
, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli
Haemophilus influenzae and influenza A
Staphylococcus aureus and hepatitis C
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
A client presents with venous congestion, peripheral edema, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a
productive cough. The client appears drowsy and has a hard time maintaining consciousness. The
client is diagnosed with cor pulmonale. What compensatory mechanism may be present?
Alkalosis
Polycythemia
Leukocytosis
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
Polycythemia
Which client most likely faces the highest risk of developing secondary pulmonary hypertension?
A client with COPD and a 35 pack-year smoking history.
An older adult client who has been hospitalized for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia
A client with asthma who uses her inhaled bronchodilator more often than prescribed
A client who suffered a thermal injury to his lungs in a fire
A client with COPD and a 35 pack-year smoking history.
The emergency room provider diagnoses a client with a hemothorax. Which could be possible causes
of this condition?
Fractured ribs following car accident
Congestive heart failure resulting with edema around the heart
Fluid imbalances from renal failure
Excessive coughing from pneumonia
Fractured ribs following car accident
A child is experiencing an acute exacerbation of asthma. Which quick-acting treatment is most
appropriate for this client?
Antileukotrienes
beta-adrenergic agonists
Anti-inflammatory agents
Leukotrienes
beta-adrenergic agonists
