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“RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES (MULTIPLE-
CHOICE) “ LATEST 2025 EXAM UPDATED 2025 –
2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
Respiratory Emergencies - Multiple Choice
Which of the following are signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?
A. A history of chronic or terminal illness, productive cough, weakness, low
pulse oximeter reading
B. A history of respiratory problems, thoracic trauma, and absent lung sounds
C. A possible history of recent surgery, or long bone fracture, chest pain,
tachypnea
D. A possible cardiac history, rales, pedal edema, and orthopnea
Answer: C
Rationale: Option A describes pneumonia. Option B describes a pneumothorax.
Option D describes congestive heart failure.
Which of the following is characterized by rapid breathing and is often
associated with distraught patients?
A. chronic obstructive pulmonary edema
B. hyperventilation syndrome
C. RSV
D. COPD
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation syndrome is characterized by rapid breathing and is
often associated with distraught patients.
Which of the following medications can be used for the treatment of an acute
asthma attack?
A. Cromolyn
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Salmeterol
Answer: B
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Which of the following statements is true regarding asthma?
A. Asthma involves accumulation of air in the pleural space.
B. Asthma involves a collection of fluid in the pleural space.
C. Asthma involves excessive mucus production.
D. Asthma involves a collection of fluid in the alveoli.
Answer: C
The patient is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, such as accessory
muscle use and difficulty speaking. Which of the following is also a sign of
respiratory distress?
A. Pursed lip breathing
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
C. Warm, pink skin
D. Clear and equal breath sounds
Answer: A
When assisting an asthmatic patient with a small-volume nebulizer attached to
oxygen, what is the appropriate flow rate for the oxygen?
A. 2 L/min
B. 4 L/min
C. 6 L/min
D. 10 L/min
Answer: C
In addition to asthma, which of the following conditions is associated with
wheezing?
A. Croup
B. Epiglottitis
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Bronchitis
Answer: D
While administering a nebulizer of albuterol to your patient, you assess for
possible side effects to the medication. Which of the following is typically NOT
a side effect of nebulized albuterol?
A. Vomiting
B. Increased pulse rate
C. Nervousness
D. Muscle tremors
Answer: A
You respond to the residence of an elderly man with severe COPD. You
recognize the address because you have responded there numerous times in
the recent past. You find the patient, who is clearly emaciated, seated in his
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recliner. He is on oxygen via nasal cannula, is semiconscious, and is breathing
inadequately. The patient's daughter tells you that her father has an out-of-
hospital DNR order, for which she is frantically looking. You should:
A. apply a nonrebreathing mask, assess his oxygen saturation level, and
prepare for immediate transport.
B. provide aggressive airway management unless the daughter can produce a
valid DNR order.
C. intubate him at once, begin transport, and advise the daughter to notify the
hospital when she finds the DNR order.
D. recognize that he is experiencing end-stage COPD, begin assisting his
ventilations, and contact medical control as needed.
D. recognize that he is experiencing end-stage COPD, begin assisting his
ventilations, and contact medical control as needed.
A patient with respiratory distress who is willing to lie flat:
A. should be intubated at once.
B. may be acutely deteriorating.
C. has minimal fluid in the lungs.
D. likely has basilar pneumonia.
B. may be acutely deteriorating.
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely cause hyperpnea?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Heroin overdose
C. Increased intracranial pressure
D. Cardiac arrest
C. Increased intracranial pressure
The barrel-chest appearance classically seen in emphysemic patients is
secondary to:
A. widespread atelectasis.
B. chest wall hypertrophy.
C. air trapping in the lungs.
D. carbon dioxide retention.
C. air trapping in the lungs.
Which of the following statements regarding epiglottitis is correct?
A. Unlike croup, epiglottitis most commonly occurs in the middle of the night,
when the outside temperature is cool.
B. Epiglottitis has become relatively rare in children due to vaccinations
against the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium.
C. Most cases of epiglottitis are progressive in their onset and result in severe
swelling of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
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D. Characteristic signs of epiglottitis include a low-grade fever, a seal-like
barking cough, and varying degrees of respiratory distress.
B. Epiglottitis has become relatively rare in children due to vaccinations against the
Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium.
Pneumonitis is especially common in older patients with:
A. frequent infections.
B. a history of a stroke.
C. immunocompromise.
D. chronic food aspiration.
D. chronic food aspiration.
When auscultating the lungs of a patient with early pulmonary edema, you will
MOST likely hear:
A. inspiratory rhonchi to the bilateral apices of the lungs.
B. crackles in the bases of the lungs at the end of inspiration.
C. faint rhonchi to all lung fields on inspiration and expiration.
D. coarse crackles to the bases of the lungs during inspiration.
B. crackles in the bases of the lungs at the end of inspiration.
Patients with obvious respiratory failure require immediate:
A. intubation.
B. ventilation support.
C. passive oxygenation.
D. bronchodilator therapy.
B. ventilation support.
Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by:
A. the epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions.
B. bulging of the intercostal muscles during deep inhalation.
C. pulling upward of the suprasternal notch during inhalation.
D. a marked decrease in movement in one of the hemithoraces.
A. the epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions.
A 21-year-old woman experienced an acute onset of pleuritic chest pain and
dyspnea while playing softball. She is noticeably dyspneic, has an oxygen
saturation of 93% on room air, and has diminished breath sounds to the upper
right lobe. The MOST appropriate treatment for this patient involves:
A. performing a needle decompression to the right side of her chest.
B. assisting his ventilations in order to increase her oxygen saturation.
C. administering high-flow supplemental oxygen and transporting at once.
D. applying a CPAP unit and starting an IV line en route to the hospital.
C. administering high-flow supplemental oxygen and transporting at once.
“RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES (MULTIPLE-
CHOICE) “ LATEST 2025 EXAM UPDATED 2025 –
2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
Respiratory Emergencies - Multiple Choice
Which of the following are signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?
A. A history of chronic or terminal illness, productive cough, weakness, low
pulse oximeter reading
B. A history of respiratory problems, thoracic trauma, and absent lung sounds
C. A possible history of recent surgery, or long bone fracture, chest pain,
tachypnea
D. A possible cardiac history, rales, pedal edema, and orthopnea
Answer: C
Rationale: Option A describes pneumonia. Option B describes a pneumothorax.
Option D describes congestive heart failure.
Which of the following is characterized by rapid breathing and is often
associated with distraught patients?
A. chronic obstructive pulmonary edema
B. hyperventilation syndrome
C. RSV
D. COPD
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation syndrome is characterized by rapid breathing and is
often associated with distraught patients.
Which of the following medications can be used for the treatment of an acute
asthma attack?
A. Cromolyn
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Salmeterol
Answer: B
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Which of the following statements is true regarding asthma?
A. Asthma involves accumulation of air in the pleural space.
B. Asthma involves a collection of fluid in the pleural space.
C. Asthma involves excessive mucus production.
D. Asthma involves a collection of fluid in the alveoli.
Answer: C
The patient is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, such as accessory
muscle use and difficulty speaking. Which of the following is also a sign of
respiratory distress?
A. Pursed lip breathing
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
C. Warm, pink skin
D. Clear and equal breath sounds
Answer: A
When assisting an asthmatic patient with a small-volume nebulizer attached to
oxygen, what is the appropriate flow rate for the oxygen?
A. 2 L/min
B. 4 L/min
C. 6 L/min
D. 10 L/min
Answer: C
In addition to asthma, which of the following conditions is associated with
wheezing?
A. Croup
B. Epiglottitis
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Bronchitis
Answer: D
While administering a nebulizer of albuterol to your patient, you assess for
possible side effects to the medication. Which of the following is typically NOT
a side effect of nebulized albuterol?
A. Vomiting
B. Increased pulse rate
C. Nervousness
D. Muscle tremors
Answer: A
You respond to the residence of an elderly man with severe COPD. You
recognize the address because you have responded there numerous times in
the recent past. You find the patient, who is clearly emaciated, seated in his
, Page 3 of 81
recliner. He is on oxygen via nasal cannula, is semiconscious, and is breathing
inadequately. The patient's daughter tells you that her father has an out-of-
hospital DNR order, for which she is frantically looking. You should:
A. apply a nonrebreathing mask, assess his oxygen saturation level, and
prepare for immediate transport.
B. provide aggressive airway management unless the daughter can produce a
valid DNR order.
C. intubate him at once, begin transport, and advise the daughter to notify the
hospital when she finds the DNR order.
D. recognize that he is experiencing end-stage COPD, begin assisting his
ventilations, and contact medical control as needed.
D. recognize that he is experiencing end-stage COPD, begin assisting his
ventilations, and contact medical control as needed.
A patient with respiratory distress who is willing to lie flat:
A. should be intubated at once.
B. may be acutely deteriorating.
C. has minimal fluid in the lungs.
D. likely has basilar pneumonia.
B. may be acutely deteriorating.
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely cause hyperpnea?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Heroin overdose
C. Increased intracranial pressure
D. Cardiac arrest
C. Increased intracranial pressure
The barrel-chest appearance classically seen in emphysemic patients is
secondary to:
A. widespread atelectasis.
B. chest wall hypertrophy.
C. air trapping in the lungs.
D. carbon dioxide retention.
C. air trapping in the lungs.
Which of the following statements regarding epiglottitis is correct?
A. Unlike croup, epiglottitis most commonly occurs in the middle of the night,
when the outside temperature is cool.
B. Epiglottitis has become relatively rare in children due to vaccinations
against the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium.
C. Most cases of epiglottitis are progressive in their onset and result in severe
swelling of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
, Page 4 of 81
D. Characteristic signs of epiglottitis include a low-grade fever, a seal-like
barking cough, and varying degrees of respiratory distress.
B. Epiglottitis has become relatively rare in children due to vaccinations against the
Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium.
Pneumonitis is especially common in older patients with:
A. frequent infections.
B. a history of a stroke.
C. immunocompromise.
D. chronic food aspiration.
D. chronic food aspiration.
When auscultating the lungs of a patient with early pulmonary edema, you will
MOST likely hear:
A. inspiratory rhonchi to the bilateral apices of the lungs.
B. crackles in the bases of the lungs at the end of inspiration.
C. faint rhonchi to all lung fields on inspiration and expiration.
D. coarse crackles to the bases of the lungs during inspiration.
B. crackles in the bases of the lungs at the end of inspiration.
Patients with obvious respiratory failure require immediate:
A. intubation.
B. ventilation support.
C. passive oxygenation.
D. bronchodilator therapy.
B. ventilation support.
Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by:
A. the epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions.
B. bulging of the intercostal muscles during deep inhalation.
C. pulling upward of the suprasternal notch during inhalation.
D. a marked decrease in movement in one of the hemithoraces.
A. the epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions.
A 21-year-old woman experienced an acute onset of pleuritic chest pain and
dyspnea while playing softball. She is noticeably dyspneic, has an oxygen
saturation of 93% on room air, and has diminished breath sounds to the upper
right lobe. The MOST appropriate treatment for this patient involves:
A. performing a needle decompression to the right side of her chest.
B. assisting his ventilations in order to increase her oxygen saturation.
C. administering high-flow supplemental oxygen and transporting at once.
D. applying a CPAP unit and starting an IV line en route to the hospital.
C. administering high-flow supplemental oxygen and transporting at once.
