ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam Test Bank |
110+ Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales |
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Best ATI Respiratory test bank I've found. The questions are
challenging but fair, just like the actual proctored exam. I appreciated that the answers
were in bold italic so I could quickly check my work. The explanations helped me
understand concepts I had been struggling with all semester. Scored above the national
average!"
— Jessica L., Nursing Student
This comprehensive test bank covers all major respiratory topics for the ATI Med Surg
Respiratory Proctored Exam, including COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma,
pulmonary embolism, chest tubes, laryngectomy, and ARDS. Each question includes
detailed rationales to reinforce understanding and improve test-taking skills.
SECTION 1 — RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradypnea
B. Inspiratory crackles
C. Dullness to percussion over the affected area
D. Geophony "E-to-A" sign
,Dullness to percussion indicates consolidation of lung tissue, a hallmark of pneumonia.
Crackles may be heard, but dullness is a more specific indicator of consolidation. Geophony
"E-to-A" is a sign of pleural effusion, not pneumonia.
2. A nurse is caring for a client following a thoracentesis. Which of the following
findings requires immediate intervention?
A. Serous drainage on the dressing
B. Report of pain at the puncture site
C. Pulse oximetry of 88% on room air
D. Respiratory rate of 20/min
*A pulse oximetry of 88% indicates hypoxemia, suggesting a potential complication such as
pneumothorax or re-expansion pulmonary edema. This is a priority finding requiring
immediate intervention. *
3. A nurse is assessing a client for hypoxemia. Which of the following is an early
sign?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradypnea
C. Restlessness
D. Bradycardia
Restlessness, confusion, and agitation are early signs of hypoxemia due to the central
nervous system's sensitivity to low oxygen levels. Cyanosis and bradycardia are late,
ominous signs.
4. A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client. pH 7.30, PaCO2
55 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. The nurse should identify these findings as which of the
following?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
The pH is acidic (7.30). PaCO2 is elevated (55), indicating a respiratory cause. HCO3 is
normal. This pattern is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
,5. A nurse is assessing a client who is extremely anxious and is hyperventilating. The
client's ABG results are pH 7.50, PaCO2 27 mmHg, and HCO3- 25 mEq/L. The nurse
should identify that the client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Because of rapid breathing, the client is exhaling excessive amounts of carbon dioxide. This
loss of carbon dioxide decreases the hydrogen ion level of the blood, which causes the pH
to increase and results in respiratory alkalosis.
6. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) with pneumonia. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the
following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a common complication of COPD. This complication occurs because
clients who have COPD are unable to exhale carbon dioxide due to a loss of elastic recoil.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about using a peak flow meter. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will perform three attempts and record the lowest number."
B. "I will stand up straight before blowing into the meter."
C. "I will use the meter immediately after taking my rescue inhaler."
D. "I will exhale slowly and steadily into the device."
The client should stand or sit upright to allow for maximum lung expansion. The highest of
three attempts is recorded, and exhalation should be hard and fast (like blowing out
candles).
8. A nurse is completing a focused respiratory assessment of a child with asthma.
What assessment finding is most closely associated with the characteristic signs and
symptoms of asthma?
, A. Shallow respirations
B. Increased anterior-posterior (A-P) diameter
C. Bilateral wheezes
D. Bradypnea
The three most common symptoms of asthma are cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. There
may be generalized wheezing (the sound of airflow through narrowed airways), first on
expiration and then, possibly, during inspiration as well.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a positive Mantoux test (tuberculin skin
test). Which of the following statements by the client requires further evaluation?
A. "I had the BCG vaccine as a child."
B. "I have a red, raised area at the injection site."
C. "I have had a cough for the past 3 weeks."
D. "I will return to have the test read in 48 hours."
*A cough lasting more than 3 weeks is a clinical manifestation of active tuberculosis and
requires further evaluation, including chest X-ray and sputum cultures. *
10. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a chronic cough and is
scheduled for a bronchoscopy. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can keep my dentures in during the procedure."
B. "I am allowed only clear liquids prior to the procedure."
C. "A tissue sample might be obtained during the procedure."
D. "A signed consent form is not required for this procedure."
During a bronchoscopy, the provider can obtain tissue samples (biopsy), collect secretions,
and visualize the airways. Consent is required, and dentures should be removed.
11. A nurse is preparing to assist a provider with a thoracentesis for a client who has
pleural effusion. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to cough during the procedure
B. Position the client sitting upright leaning over a bedside table
C. Apply pressure to the insertion site for 30 minutes after the procedure
D. Administer a bronchodilator 30 minutes before the procedure
110+ Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales |
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Best ATI Respiratory test bank I've found. The questions are
challenging but fair, just like the actual proctored exam. I appreciated that the answers
were in bold italic so I could quickly check my work. The explanations helped me
understand concepts I had been struggling with all semester. Scored above the national
average!"
— Jessica L., Nursing Student
This comprehensive test bank covers all major respiratory topics for the ATI Med Surg
Respiratory Proctored Exam, including COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma,
pulmonary embolism, chest tubes, laryngectomy, and ARDS. Each question includes
detailed rationales to reinforce understanding and improve test-taking skills.
SECTION 1 — RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradypnea
B. Inspiratory crackles
C. Dullness to percussion over the affected area
D. Geophony "E-to-A" sign
,Dullness to percussion indicates consolidation of lung tissue, a hallmark of pneumonia.
Crackles may be heard, but dullness is a more specific indicator of consolidation. Geophony
"E-to-A" is a sign of pleural effusion, not pneumonia.
2. A nurse is caring for a client following a thoracentesis. Which of the following
findings requires immediate intervention?
A. Serous drainage on the dressing
B. Report of pain at the puncture site
C. Pulse oximetry of 88% on room air
D. Respiratory rate of 20/min
*A pulse oximetry of 88% indicates hypoxemia, suggesting a potential complication such as
pneumothorax or re-expansion pulmonary edema. This is a priority finding requiring
immediate intervention. *
3. A nurse is assessing a client for hypoxemia. Which of the following is an early
sign?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradypnea
C. Restlessness
D. Bradycardia
Restlessness, confusion, and agitation are early signs of hypoxemia due to the central
nervous system's sensitivity to low oxygen levels. Cyanosis and bradycardia are late,
ominous signs.
4. A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client. pH 7.30, PaCO2
55 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. The nurse should identify these findings as which of the
following?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
The pH is acidic (7.30). PaCO2 is elevated (55), indicating a respiratory cause. HCO3 is
normal. This pattern is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
,5. A nurse is assessing a client who is extremely anxious and is hyperventilating. The
client's ABG results are pH 7.50, PaCO2 27 mmHg, and HCO3- 25 mEq/L. The nurse
should identify that the client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Because of rapid breathing, the client is exhaling excessive amounts of carbon dioxide. This
loss of carbon dioxide decreases the hydrogen ion level of the blood, which causes the pH
to increase and results in respiratory alkalosis.
6. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) with pneumonia. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the
following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a common complication of COPD. This complication occurs because
clients who have COPD are unable to exhale carbon dioxide due to a loss of elastic recoil.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about using a peak flow meter. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will perform three attempts and record the lowest number."
B. "I will stand up straight before blowing into the meter."
C. "I will use the meter immediately after taking my rescue inhaler."
D. "I will exhale slowly and steadily into the device."
The client should stand or sit upright to allow for maximum lung expansion. The highest of
three attempts is recorded, and exhalation should be hard and fast (like blowing out
candles).
8. A nurse is completing a focused respiratory assessment of a child with asthma.
What assessment finding is most closely associated with the characteristic signs and
symptoms of asthma?
, A. Shallow respirations
B. Increased anterior-posterior (A-P) diameter
C. Bilateral wheezes
D. Bradypnea
The three most common symptoms of asthma are cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. There
may be generalized wheezing (the sound of airflow through narrowed airways), first on
expiration and then, possibly, during inspiration as well.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a positive Mantoux test (tuberculin skin
test). Which of the following statements by the client requires further evaluation?
A. "I had the BCG vaccine as a child."
B. "I have a red, raised area at the injection site."
C. "I have had a cough for the past 3 weeks."
D. "I will return to have the test read in 48 hours."
*A cough lasting more than 3 weeks is a clinical manifestation of active tuberculosis and
requires further evaluation, including chest X-ray and sputum cultures. *
10. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a chronic cough and is
scheduled for a bronchoscopy. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can keep my dentures in during the procedure."
B. "I am allowed only clear liquids prior to the procedure."
C. "A tissue sample might be obtained during the procedure."
D. "A signed consent form is not required for this procedure."
During a bronchoscopy, the provider can obtain tissue samples (biopsy), collect secretions,
and visualize the airways. Consent is required, and dentures should be removed.
11. A nurse is preparing to assist a provider with a thoracentesis for a client who has
pleural effusion. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to cough during the procedure
B. Position the client sitting upright leaning over a bedside table
C. Apply pressure to the insertion site for 30 minutes after the procedure
D. Administer a bronchodilator 30 minutes before the procedure
