HESI Test bank Med-Surg with other
resources Questions with Complete
Solutions verified answers latest
update 2025
20. During assessment of a 45-year-old patient with asthma, the nurse
notes wheezing and dyspnea. The nurse interprets that these
symptoms are related to which of the following pathophysiologic
changes? A. Laryngospasm B. Overdistention of the alveoli C.
Narrowing of the airway D. Pulmonary edema ---correct answer ---C.
Narrowing of the airwayNarrowing of the airway leads to reduced
airflow, making it difficult for the patient to breathe and producing
the characteristic wheezing.
21. A 45-year-old man with asthma is brought to the emergency
department by automobile. He is short of breath and appears
frightened. During the initial nursing assessment, which of the
following clinical manifestations might be present as an early
symptom during an exacerbation of asthma?
A. Anxiety
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypercapnia
,D. Bradycardia ---correct answer ---A. Anxiety An early symptom
during an asthma attack is anxiety because he is acutely aware of the
inability to get sufficient air to breathe. He will be hypoxic early on
with decreased PaCO2 and increased pH as he is hyperventilating.
22. The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who has anxiety and an
exacerbation of asthma. Which of the following is the primary reason
for the nurse to carefully inspect the chest wall of this patient?
A. Observe for signs of diaphoresis
B. Allow time to calm the patient
C. Monitor the patient for bilateral chest expansion
D. Evaluate the use of intercostal muscles ---correct answer ---D.
Evaluate the use of intercostal muscles The nurse physically inspects
the chest wall to evaluate the use of intercostal (accessory) muscles,
which gives an indication of the degree of respiratory distress
experienced by the patient.
23. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for the nurse
to place a patient experiencing an asthma exacerbation?
A. Supine
B. Lithotomy
C. High-Fowler's
,D. Reverse Trendelenburg ---correct answer ---C. High-Fowler'sThe
patient experiencing an asthma attack should be placed in high-
Fowler's position to allow for optimal chest expansion and enlist the
aid of gravity during inspiration.
24. The nurse is caring for a patient with an acute exacerbation of
asthma. Following initial treatment, which of the following findings
indicates to the nurse that the patient's respiratory status is
improving?
A. Wheezing becomes louder
B. Vesicular breath sounds decrease
C. Aerosol bronchodilators stimulate coughing
D. The cough remains nonproductive ---correct answer ---A. Wheezing
becomes louder The primary problem during an exacerbation of
asthma is narrowing of the airway and subsequent diminished air
exchange. As the airways begin to dilate, wheezing gets louder
because of better air exchange.
25. The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance
for a patient with asthma. The nurse assesses for which of the
following etiologic factor for this nursing diagnosis in patients with
asthma?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
, B. Effects of medications
C. Fear of suffocation
D. Work of breathing ---correct answer ---D. Work of breathingWhen
the patient does not have sufficient gas exchange to engage in activity,
the etiologic factor is often the work of breathing. When patients with
asthma do not have effective respirations, they use all available
energy to breathe and have little left over for purposeful activity.
26. The nurse is assigned to care for a patient in the emergency
department admitted with an exacerbation of asthma. The patient has
received a β-adrenergic bronchodilator and supplemental oxygen. If
the patient's condition does not improve, the nurse should anticipate
which of the following is likely to be the next step in treatment?
A. Pulmonary function testing
B. Systemic corticosteroids
C. Biofeedback therapy
D. Intravenous fluids ---correct answer ---B. Systemic corticosteroids
Systemic corticosteroids speed the resolution of asthma exacerbations
and are indicated if the initial response to the β-adrenergic
bronchodilator is insufficient.
resources Questions with Complete
Solutions verified answers latest
update 2025
20. During assessment of a 45-year-old patient with asthma, the nurse
notes wheezing and dyspnea. The nurse interprets that these
symptoms are related to which of the following pathophysiologic
changes? A. Laryngospasm B. Overdistention of the alveoli C.
Narrowing of the airway D. Pulmonary edema ---correct answer ---C.
Narrowing of the airwayNarrowing of the airway leads to reduced
airflow, making it difficult for the patient to breathe and producing
the characteristic wheezing.
21. A 45-year-old man with asthma is brought to the emergency
department by automobile. He is short of breath and appears
frightened. During the initial nursing assessment, which of the
following clinical manifestations might be present as an early
symptom during an exacerbation of asthma?
A. Anxiety
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypercapnia
,D. Bradycardia ---correct answer ---A. Anxiety An early symptom
during an asthma attack is anxiety because he is acutely aware of the
inability to get sufficient air to breathe. He will be hypoxic early on
with decreased PaCO2 and increased pH as he is hyperventilating.
22. The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who has anxiety and an
exacerbation of asthma. Which of the following is the primary reason
for the nurse to carefully inspect the chest wall of this patient?
A. Observe for signs of diaphoresis
B. Allow time to calm the patient
C. Monitor the patient for bilateral chest expansion
D. Evaluate the use of intercostal muscles ---correct answer ---D.
Evaluate the use of intercostal muscles The nurse physically inspects
the chest wall to evaluate the use of intercostal (accessory) muscles,
which gives an indication of the degree of respiratory distress
experienced by the patient.
23. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for the nurse
to place a patient experiencing an asthma exacerbation?
A. Supine
B. Lithotomy
C. High-Fowler's
,D. Reverse Trendelenburg ---correct answer ---C. High-Fowler'sThe
patient experiencing an asthma attack should be placed in high-
Fowler's position to allow for optimal chest expansion and enlist the
aid of gravity during inspiration.
24. The nurse is caring for a patient with an acute exacerbation of
asthma. Following initial treatment, which of the following findings
indicates to the nurse that the patient's respiratory status is
improving?
A. Wheezing becomes louder
B. Vesicular breath sounds decrease
C. Aerosol bronchodilators stimulate coughing
D. The cough remains nonproductive ---correct answer ---A. Wheezing
becomes louder The primary problem during an exacerbation of
asthma is narrowing of the airway and subsequent diminished air
exchange. As the airways begin to dilate, wheezing gets louder
because of better air exchange.
25. The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance
for a patient with asthma. The nurse assesses for which of the
following etiologic factor for this nursing diagnosis in patients with
asthma?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
, B. Effects of medications
C. Fear of suffocation
D. Work of breathing ---correct answer ---D. Work of breathingWhen
the patient does not have sufficient gas exchange to engage in activity,
the etiologic factor is often the work of breathing. When patients with
asthma do not have effective respirations, they use all available
energy to breathe and have little left over for purposeful activity.
26. The nurse is assigned to care for a patient in the emergency
department admitted with an exacerbation of asthma. The patient has
received a β-adrenergic bronchodilator and supplemental oxygen. If
the patient's condition does not improve, the nurse should anticipate
which of the following is likely to be the next step in treatment?
A. Pulmonary function testing
B. Systemic corticosteroids
C. Biofeedback therapy
D. Intravenous fluids ---correct answer ---B. Systemic corticosteroids
Systemic corticosteroids speed the resolution of asthma exacerbations
and are indicated if the initial response to the β-adrenergic
bronchodilator is insufficient.
