NURS 120 Week 5 Oxygenation
Practice Questions
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action should
the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests. - answerb.
Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How
should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - answerd. Sitting upright
with the arms supported on an over bed table
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34 mm Hg;
PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions
c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kussmaul respirations
d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - answerb. Kussmaul respirations
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds
during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this
finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - answera. Inspiratory crackles at
the bases
The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says "99" and notes absent
fremitus. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
,b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally. - answerd. Auscultate
anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally.
A patient with a chronic cough is scheduled to have a bronchoscopy with biopsy. Which
intervention will the nurse implement directly after the procedure?
a. Encourage the patient to drink clear liquids.
b. Place the patient on bed rest for at least 4 hours.
c. Keep the patient NPO until the gag reflex returns.
d. Maintain the head of the bed elevated 90 degrees. - answerc. Keep the patient NPO
until the gag reflex returns.
The nurse completes a shift assessment on a patient admitted in the early phase of
heart failure. When auscultating the patient's lungs, which finding would the nurse most
likely hear?
a. Continuous rumbling, snoring, or rattling sounds mainly on expiration
b. Continuous high-pitched musical sounds on inspiration and expiration
c. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration during inspiration
d. A series of long-duration, discontinuous, low-pitched sounds during inspiration -
answerc. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration during inspiration
The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease experiences a decrease in
SpO2 from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of the
nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
c. Document the response to exercise.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. - answerb. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which statement, if
made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes." - answerc. "I will
inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's lungs. Which action by the
student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down toward the lung bases.
, d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth. -
answerThe student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the stethoscope.
A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was
hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of
89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most effective
in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
a. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching.
b. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
c. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
d. Start giving the patient discharge teaching during the admission process. - answerc.
Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
A patient admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset
shortness of breath is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the
nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Ensure that the patient has been NPO.
b. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed.
d. Instruct the patient to expect to inspire deeply and exhale forcefully. - answerb. Start
an IV so contrast media may be given.
The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma attack. Which
statement indicates that the patient may need teaching regarding medication use?
a. "I have not had any acute asthma attacks during the past year."
b. "I became short of breath an hour before coming to the hospital."
c. "I've been taking Tylenol 650 mg every 6 hours for chest wall pain."
d. "I've been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days." - answerd.
"I've been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days."
A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan.
Which information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care
provider before the CT?
a. Allergy to shellfish
c. Respiratory rate of 30
b. Apical pulse of 104
d. O2 saturation of 90% - answera. Allergy to shellfish
The nurse analyzes the results of a patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs). Which finding
would require immediate action?
a. The bicarbonate level (HCO3-) is 31 mEq/L.
b. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is 92%.
Practice Questions
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action should
the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests. - answerb.
Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How
should the nurse position the patient?
a. High-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
b. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - answerd. Sitting upright
with the arms supported on an over bed table
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34 mm Hg;
PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions
c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
b. Kussmaul respirations
d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - answerb. Kussmaul respirations
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds
during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this
finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - answera. Inspiratory crackles at
the bases
The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says "99" and notes absent
fremitus. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
,b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally. - answerd. Auscultate
anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally.
A patient with a chronic cough is scheduled to have a bronchoscopy with biopsy. Which
intervention will the nurse implement directly after the procedure?
a. Encourage the patient to drink clear liquids.
b. Place the patient on bed rest for at least 4 hours.
c. Keep the patient NPO until the gag reflex returns.
d. Maintain the head of the bed elevated 90 degrees. - answerc. Keep the patient NPO
until the gag reflex returns.
The nurse completes a shift assessment on a patient admitted in the early phase of
heart failure. When auscultating the patient's lungs, which finding would the nurse most
likely hear?
a. Continuous rumbling, snoring, or rattling sounds mainly on expiration
b. Continuous high-pitched musical sounds on inspiration and expiration
c. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration during inspiration
d. A series of long-duration, discontinuous, low-pitched sounds during inspiration -
answerc. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration during inspiration
The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease experiences a decrease in
SpO2 from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of the
nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
c. Document the response to exercise.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. - answerb. Administer PRN supplemental O2.
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which statement, if
made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
a. "I should use my inhaler right before the test."
b. "I won't eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test."
c. "I will inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
d. "My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes." - answerc. "I will
inhale deeply and blow out hard during the test."
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient's lungs. Which action by the
student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student compares breath sounds from side to side at each level.
b. The student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the stethoscope.
c. The student starts at the apices of the lungs, moving down toward the lung bases.
, d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth. -
answerThe student listens during the inspiratory phase, then moves the stethoscope.
A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was
hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of
89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most effective
in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
a. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching.
b. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
c. Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
d. Start giving the patient discharge teaching during the admission process. - answerc.
Arrange for the patient's caregiver to be present during the teaching.
A patient admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset
shortness of breath is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the
nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Ensure that the patient has been NPO.
b. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed.
d. Instruct the patient to expect to inspire deeply and exhale forcefully. - answerb. Start
an IV so contrast media may be given.
The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma attack. Which
statement indicates that the patient may need teaching regarding medication use?
a. "I have not had any acute asthma attacks during the past year."
b. "I became short of breath an hour before coming to the hospital."
c. "I've been taking Tylenol 650 mg every 6 hours for chest wall pain."
d. "I've been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days." - answerd.
"I've been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days."
A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan.
Which information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care
provider before the CT?
a. Allergy to shellfish
c. Respiratory rate of 30
b. Apical pulse of 104
d. O2 saturation of 90% - answera. Allergy to shellfish
The nurse analyzes the results of a patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs). Which finding
would require immediate action?
a. The bicarbonate level (HCO3-) is 31 mEq/L.
b. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is 92%.
