Board type exam questions with answers and rationale:
1. When performing an assessment on the client with emphysema, the nurse finds that the
client has a barrel chest. The alteration in the client’s is due to:
A. Collapse of distal alveoli
B. Hyperinflation of the lungs
C. Long-term chronic hypoxia
D. Use of accessory muscles
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with emphysema develop a barrel chest due to the trapping of air in the
lungs, causing them to hyperinflate.
2. The nurse notes that a client with COPD demonstrates more dyspnea in certain positions.
Which position is most likely to alleviate the client’s dyspnea?
A. Lying supine with a single pillow
B. Standing or sitting upright
C. Side lying with the head elevated
D. Lying with head slightly lowered
Answer: B
Rationale: The client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increased difficulty
breathing when lying down. His respiratory effort is improved by standing or sitting upright or by
having the bed in high Fowler's position.
3. When reviewing the chart of a client with long standing lung disease, the nurse should
pay close attention to the results of which pulmonary function test?
A. Residual volume
B. Total lung capacity
C. FEV1/FVC ratio
D. Functional residual capacity
Answer: C
Rationale: The FEV1FVC ratio indicates disease progression. As COPD worsens the ratio of
FEV1 to FVC becomes smaller. Answers A and B reflect loss of elastic recoil due to narrowing
and obstruction of the airways
4. The physician has orders O2 at 3 liters/minute via nasal cannula. O2 amounts greater
than 3 liters/minute are contraindicated in the client with COPD because:
A. HIgher concentrations result in severe headache.
B. Hypercapnic drive is necessary for breathing.
C. Higher levels will be required later to raise the pO2.
D. Hypoxic drive is needed for breathing.
Answer: D
Rationale: In clients with COPD, respiratory effotr is stimulated by hypoxemia.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 10-16-2025 08:43:42 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251445514/754524900-Sas-4-Lung-Inflation-and-Obstructive-Airway-Disorderspdf/
1. When performing an assessment on the client with emphysema, the nurse finds that the
client has a barrel chest. The alteration in the client’s is due to:
A. Collapse of distal alveoli
B. Hyperinflation of the lungs
C. Long-term chronic hypoxia
D. Use of accessory muscles
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with emphysema develop a barrel chest due to the trapping of air in the
lungs, causing them to hyperinflate.
2. The nurse notes that a client with COPD demonstrates more dyspnea in certain positions.
Which position is most likely to alleviate the client’s dyspnea?
A. Lying supine with a single pillow
B. Standing or sitting upright
C. Side lying with the head elevated
D. Lying with head slightly lowered
Answer: B
Rationale: The client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increased difficulty
breathing when lying down. His respiratory effort is improved by standing or sitting upright or by
having the bed in high Fowler's position.
3. When reviewing the chart of a client with long standing lung disease, the nurse should
pay close attention to the results of which pulmonary function test?
A. Residual volume
B. Total lung capacity
C. FEV1/FVC ratio
D. Functional residual capacity
Answer: C
Rationale: The FEV1FVC ratio indicates disease progression. As COPD worsens the ratio of
FEV1 to FVC becomes smaller. Answers A and B reflect loss of elastic recoil due to narrowing
and obstruction of the airways
4. The physician has orders O2 at 3 liters/minute via nasal cannula. O2 amounts greater
than 3 liters/minute are contraindicated in the client with COPD because:
A. HIgher concentrations result in severe headache.
B. Hypercapnic drive is necessary for breathing.
C. Higher levels will be required later to raise the pO2.
D. Hypoxic drive is needed for breathing.
Answer: D
Rationale: In clients with COPD, respiratory effotr is stimulated by hypoxemia.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 10-16-2025 08:43:42 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251445514/754524900-Sas-4-Lung-Inflation-and-Obstructive-Airway-Disorderspdf/
