2025/2026 Med-Surg Respiratory Practice Questions
with Answers & Rationales | NCLEX & HESI Prep
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a lobectomy. Which of the following
items should the nurse keep easily accessible for the client?
A. Extra drainage system
B. Suture removal kit
C. Container of sterile water
D. Nonadherent pads ---Correct---Ans---C. Container of sterile water
Rationale: The nurse should have a container of sterile water in a location that is easily
accessible for this client. The nurse should plan to place the open end of the tubing into the
sterile water if the tubing becomes disconnected in order to prevent a pneumothorax.
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing acute respiratory
failure. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
A. Arterial pH 7.50
B. PaCO2 25 mmHg
C. SaO2 92%
D. PaO2 58 mm Hg ---Correct---Ans---D. PaO2 58 mm Hg
,Rationale: The nurse should expect the client who has acute respiratory failure to have lower
partial pressures of oxygen.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube in place following thoracic surgery. For which
of the following findings should the nurse notify the provider?
A. Fluctuation of drainage in the tubing with inspiration
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Drainage of 75 mL in the first hour after surgery
D. Several small, dark-red blood clots in the tubing ---Correct---Ans---B. Continuous bubbling in
the water seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests an air leak and requires
notification of the provider. The nurse should check the system for external, correctable leaks
while she is waiting for instructions from the provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in respiratory distress and requires endotracheal suctioning.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use clean technique when suctioning the client's endotracheal tube.
B. Use a rotating motion when removing the suction catheter.
, C. Suction the oropharyngeal cavity prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube.
D. Suction the client's endotracheal tube every 2 hr. ---Correct---Ans---B. Use a rotating motion
when removing the suction catheter.
Rationale: The nurse should rotate the suction catheter during withdrawal to reduce the risk of
tissue trauma.
A nurse is caring for a newly-admitted client who has emphysema. The nurse should place the
client in which of the following positions to promote effective breathing?
A. Lateral position with a pillow at the back and over the chest to support the arm
B. High-Fowler's position with the arms supported on the over-bed table
C. Semi-Fowler's position with pillows supporting both arms
D. Supine position with the head of the bed elevated to 15° ---Correct---Ans---B. High-Fowler's
position with the arms supported on the over-bed table
Rationale: The nurse should place the client in a position that allows for greater expansion of
the chest, such as sitting upright and leaning slightly forward while supporting both arms with
pillows for comfort on the over-bed table.
with Answers & Rationales | NCLEX & HESI Prep
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a lobectomy. Which of the following
items should the nurse keep easily accessible for the client?
A. Extra drainage system
B. Suture removal kit
C. Container of sterile water
D. Nonadherent pads ---Correct---Ans---C. Container of sterile water
Rationale: The nurse should have a container of sterile water in a location that is easily
accessible for this client. The nurse should plan to place the open end of the tubing into the
sterile water if the tubing becomes disconnected in order to prevent a pneumothorax.
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing acute respiratory
failure. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
A. Arterial pH 7.50
B. PaCO2 25 mmHg
C. SaO2 92%
D. PaO2 58 mm Hg ---Correct---Ans---D. PaO2 58 mm Hg
,Rationale: The nurse should expect the client who has acute respiratory failure to have lower
partial pressures of oxygen.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube in place following thoracic surgery. For which
of the following findings should the nurse notify the provider?
A. Fluctuation of drainage in the tubing with inspiration
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Drainage of 75 mL in the first hour after surgery
D. Several small, dark-red blood clots in the tubing ---Correct---Ans---B. Continuous bubbling in
the water seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests an air leak and requires
notification of the provider. The nurse should check the system for external, correctable leaks
while she is waiting for instructions from the provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in respiratory distress and requires endotracheal suctioning.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use clean technique when suctioning the client's endotracheal tube.
B. Use a rotating motion when removing the suction catheter.
, C. Suction the oropharyngeal cavity prior to suctioning the endotracheal tube.
D. Suction the client's endotracheal tube every 2 hr. ---Correct---Ans---B. Use a rotating motion
when removing the suction catheter.
Rationale: The nurse should rotate the suction catheter during withdrawal to reduce the risk of
tissue trauma.
A nurse is caring for a newly-admitted client who has emphysema. The nurse should place the
client in which of the following positions to promote effective breathing?
A. Lateral position with a pillow at the back and over the chest to support the arm
B. High-Fowler's position with the arms supported on the over-bed table
C. Semi-Fowler's position with pillows supporting both arms
D. Supine position with the head of the bed elevated to 15° ---Correct---Ans---B. High-Fowler's
position with the arms supported on the over-bed table
Rationale: The nurse should place the client in a position that allows for greater expansion of
the chest, such as sitting upright and leaning slightly forward while supporting both arms with
pillows for comfort on the over-bed table.
