ARDS AND MECHANICAL VENTILATION TEST BANK QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS - JUST RELEASED, 100 %
VERIFIED
When the nurse is explaining respiratory failure to the patient's family, what is the most
accurate description to use?
a. The absence of ventilation.
b. Any episode in which part of the airway is obstructed.
c. Inadequate gas exchange to meet the needs of the body.
d. An episode of acute hypoxemia caused by a pulmonary dysfunction.
Ans: ANS: C
Quiz Which diagnostic test will provide the nurse with the most specific information to evaluate
the effectiveness of interventions for a patient with ventilatory failure?
a. Chest x-ray
b. O2 saturation
c. Arterial blood gas analysis
d. Central venous pressure monitoring
,Ans: ANS: C
Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is most useful in this setting because ventilatory failure causes
problems with CO2 retention, and ABGs give information about the PaCO2 and pH. The other
tests may also be done to help in assessing oxygenation or determining the cause of the
patient's ventilatory failure.
Quiz While caring for a patient who has been admitted with a pulmonary embolism, the nurse
notes a change in the patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2) from 94% to 88%. Which action should
the nurse take?
a. Suction the patient's oropharynx.
b. Increase the prescribed O2 flowrate.
c. Teach the patient to cough and deep breathe.
d. Help the patient to sit in a more upright position.
Ans: ANS: B
Increasing O2 flowrate will usually improve O2 saturation in patients with ventilation-perfusion
mismatch, as occurs with pulmonary embolism. Because the problem is with perfusion, actions
that improve ventilation, such as deep breathing and coughing, sitting upright, and suctioning,
are not likely to improve oxygenation.
Quiz A patient with respiratory failure has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min and an oxygen
saturation (SpO2) of 78%. The patient is increasingly lethargic. Which intervention will the
nurse anticipate?
a. Administration of 100% O2 by non-rebreather mask
b. Endotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation
c. Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy with frequent suctioning
d. Initiation of continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP)
,Ans: ANS: B
The patient's lethargy, low respiratory rate, and SpO2 indicate the need for mechanical
ventilation with ventilator-controlled respiratory rate. Giving high-flow O2 will not be helpful
because the patient's respiratory rate is so low. Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy will promote
removal of secretions, but it will not improve the patient's respiratory rate or oxygenation.
CPAP requires that the patient initiate an adequate respiratory rate to allow adequate gas
exchange.
Quiz The oxygen saturation (SpO2) for a patient with left lower lobe pneumonia is 90%. The
patient has wheezes and a weak cough effort. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Position the patient on the left side.
b. Assist the patient with staged coughing.
c. Place a humidifier in the patient's room.
d. Schedule a 4-hour rest period for the patient.
Ans: ANS: B
The patient's assessment indicates that assisted coughing is needed to help remove secretions,
which will improve oxygenation. A 4-hour rest period at this time may allow the O2 saturation
to drop further. Humidification will not be helpful unless the secretions can be mobilized.
Positioning on the left side may cause a further decrease in oxygen saturation because
perfusion will be directed more toward the more poorly ventilated lung.
Quiz A nurse is caring for a patient with right lower lobe pneumonia who is obese. Which
position will provide the best gas exchange?
a. On the left side
b. On the right side
c. In the tripod position
, d. In the high-Fowler's position
Ans: ANS: A
The patient should be positioned with the "good" lung in the dependent position to improve
the match between ventilation and perfusion. The obese patient's abdomen will limit
respiratory excursion when sitting in the high-Fowler's or tripod positions.
Quiz When admitting a patient with possible respiratory failure and a high PaCO2, which
assessment information should be immediately reported to the health care provider?
a. The patient appears somnolent.
b. The patient reports feeling weak.
c. The patient's blood pressure is 164/98.
d. The patient's oxygen saturation is 90%.
Ans: ANS: A
Increasing somnolence will decrease the patient's respiratory rate and further increase the
PaCO2 and respiratory failure. Rapid action is needed to prevent respiratory arrest. An SpO2 of
90%, weakness, and elevated blood pressure all require ongoing monitoring but are not
indicators of possible impending respiratory arrest.
Quiz A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury has
several drugs prescribed. Which drug should the nurse discuss with the health care provider
before giving?
a. Gentamicin 60 mg IV
b. Pantoprazole (Protonix) 40 mg IV
c. Sucralfate (Carafate) 1 gram per NG tube
d. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 60 mg IV
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS - JUST RELEASED, 100 %
VERIFIED
When the nurse is explaining respiratory failure to the patient's family, what is the most
accurate description to use?
a. The absence of ventilation.
b. Any episode in which part of the airway is obstructed.
c. Inadequate gas exchange to meet the needs of the body.
d. An episode of acute hypoxemia caused by a pulmonary dysfunction.
Ans: ANS: C
Quiz Which diagnostic test will provide the nurse with the most specific information to evaluate
the effectiveness of interventions for a patient with ventilatory failure?
a. Chest x-ray
b. O2 saturation
c. Arterial blood gas analysis
d. Central venous pressure monitoring
,Ans: ANS: C
Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is most useful in this setting because ventilatory failure causes
problems with CO2 retention, and ABGs give information about the PaCO2 and pH. The other
tests may also be done to help in assessing oxygenation or determining the cause of the
patient's ventilatory failure.
Quiz While caring for a patient who has been admitted with a pulmonary embolism, the nurse
notes a change in the patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2) from 94% to 88%. Which action should
the nurse take?
a. Suction the patient's oropharynx.
b. Increase the prescribed O2 flowrate.
c. Teach the patient to cough and deep breathe.
d. Help the patient to sit in a more upright position.
Ans: ANS: B
Increasing O2 flowrate will usually improve O2 saturation in patients with ventilation-perfusion
mismatch, as occurs with pulmonary embolism. Because the problem is with perfusion, actions
that improve ventilation, such as deep breathing and coughing, sitting upright, and suctioning,
are not likely to improve oxygenation.
Quiz A patient with respiratory failure has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min and an oxygen
saturation (SpO2) of 78%. The patient is increasingly lethargic. Which intervention will the
nurse anticipate?
a. Administration of 100% O2 by non-rebreather mask
b. Endotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation
c. Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy with frequent suctioning
d. Initiation of continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP)
,Ans: ANS: B
The patient's lethargy, low respiratory rate, and SpO2 indicate the need for mechanical
ventilation with ventilator-controlled respiratory rate. Giving high-flow O2 will not be helpful
because the patient's respiratory rate is so low. Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy will promote
removal of secretions, but it will not improve the patient's respiratory rate or oxygenation.
CPAP requires that the patient initiate an adequate respiratory rate to allow adequate gas
exchange.
Quiz The oxygen saturation (SpO2) for a patient with left lower lobe pneumonia is 90%. The
patient has wheezes and a weak cough effort. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Position the patient on the left side.
b. Assist the patient with staged coughing.
c. Place a humidifier in the patient's room.
d. Schedule a 4-hour rest period for the patient.
Ans: ANS: B
The patient's assessment indicates that assisted coughing is needed to help remove secretions,
which will improve oxygenation. A 4-hour rest period at this time may allow the O2 saturation
to drop further. Humidification will not be helpful unless the secretions can be mobilized.
Positioning on the left side may cause a further decrease in oxygen saturation because
perfusion will be directed more toward the more poorly ventilated lung.
Quiz A nurse is caring for a patient with right lower lobe pneumonia who is obese. Which
position will provide the best gas exchange?
a. On the left side
b. On the right side
c. In the tripod position
, d. In the high-Fowler's position
Ans: ANS: A
The patient should be positioned with the "good" lung in the dependent position to improve
the match between ventilation and perfusion. The obese patient's abdomen will limit
respiratory excursion when sitting in the high-Fowler's or tripod positions.
Quiz When admitting a patient with possible respiratory failure and a high PaCO2, which
assessment information should be immediately reported to the health care provider?
a. The patient appears somnolent.
b. The patient reports feeling weak.
c. The patient's blood pressure is 164/98.
d. The patient's oxygen saturation is 90%.
Ans: ANS: A
Increasing somnolence will decrease the patient's respiratory rate and further increase the
PaCO2 and respiratory failure. Rapid action is needed to prevent respiratory arrest. An SpO2 of
90%, weakness, and elevated blood pressure all require ongoing monitoring but are not
indicators of possible impending respiratory arrest.
Quiz A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury has
several drugs prescribed. Which drug should the nurse discuss with the health care provider
before giving?
a. Gentamicin 60 mg IV
b. Pantoprazole (Protonix) 40 mg IV
c. Sucralfate (Carafate) 1 gram per NG tube
d. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 60 mg IV
