CH. 39 OXYGENATION AND PERFUSION
NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What
would be an expected finding upon assessment of this patient?
a. Dyspnea
b. Hypotension
c. Decreased respiratory rate
d. Decreased pulse rate - ANS a. Dyspnea
A nurse is suctioning the nasopharyngeal airway of a patient to maintain a patent airway. For
which condition would the nurse anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet?
a. The patient vomits during suctioning.
b. The secretions appear to be stomach contents.
c. The catheter touches an unsterile surface.
d. A nosebleed is noted with continued suctioning - ANS d. A nosebleed is noted with
continued suctioning
A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway for a patient who vomits when it is inserted. Which
action would be the first that should be taken by the nurse related to this occurrence?
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, a. Remove the catheter
b. Notify the primary care provider
c. Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient
d. Place the patient on his or her back - ANS a. Remove the catheter
A nurse is choosing a catheter to use to suction a patient's endotracheal tube via an open
system. On which variable would the nurse base the size of the catheter to use?
a. The age of the patient
b. The size of the endotracheal tube
c. The type of secretions to be suctioned
d. The height and weight of the patient - ANS b.
The nurse would base the size of the suctioning catheter on the size of the endotracheal tube.
The external diameter of the suction catheter should not exceed half of the internal diameter of
the endotracheal tube. Larger catheters can contribute to trauma and hypoxemia.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been hospitalized for an acute asthma exacerbation.
Which testing methods might the nurse use to measure the patient's oxygen saturation? Select
all that apply.
a. Thoracentesis
b. Pulse oximetry
c. Diffusion capacity
d. Maximal respiratory pressure - ANS b. Pulse oximetry
A patient with COPD is unable to perform personal hygiene without becoming exhausted.
Which nursing intervention would be appropriate for this patient?
a. Assist with bathing and hygiene tasks even if patient feels capable of performing them alone.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What
would be an expected finding upon assessment of this patient?
a. Dyspnea
b. Hypotension
c. Decreased respiratory rate
d. Decreased pulse rate - ANS a. Dyspnea
A nurse is suctioning the nasopharyngeal airway of a patient to maintain a patent airway. For
which condition would the nurse anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet?
a. The patient vomits during suctioning.
b. The secretions appear to be stomach contents.
c. The catheter touches an unsterile surface.
d. A nosebleed is noted with continued suctioning - ANS d. A nosebleed is noted with
continued suctioning
A nurse is inserting an oropharyngeal airway for a patient who vomits when it is inserted. Which
action would be the first that should be taken by the nurse related to this occurrence?
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, a. Remove the catheter
b. Notify the primary care provider
c. Check that the airway is the appropriate size for the patient
d. Place the patient on his or her back - ANS a. Remove the catheter
A nurse is choosing a catheter to use to suction a patient's endotracheal tube via an open
system. On which variable would the nurse base the size of the catheter to use?
a. The age of the patient
b. The size of the endotracheal tube
c. The type of secretions to be suctioned
d. The height and weight of the patient - ANS b.
The nurse would base the size of the suctioning catheter on the size of the endotracheal tube.
The external diameter of the suction catheter should not exceed half of the internal diameter of
the endotracheal tube. Larger catheters can contribute to trauma and hypoxemia.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been hospitalized for an acute asthma exacerbation.
Which testing methods might the nurse use to measure the patient's oxygen saturation? Select
all that apply.
a. Thoracentesis
b. Pulse oximetry
c. Diffusion capacity
d. Maximal respiratory pressure - ANS b. Pulse oximetry
A patient with COPD is unable to perform personal hygiene without becoming exhausted.
Which nursing intervention would be appropriate for this patient?
a. Assist with bathing and hygiene tasks even if patient feels capable of performing them alone.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
