NCLEX - Respiratory

The nurse is caring for a client with chest trauma. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority? a) Impaired gas exchange b) Anxiety c) Decreased cardiac output d) Ineffective cardiopulmonary tissue perfusion

a) Impaired gas exchange

A client has hypoxemia of pulmonary origin. What portion of arterial blood gas results is most useful in distinguishing between acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute respiratory failure? a) Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) b) Partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) c) pH d) Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

a) Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)

The nurse is caring for a client who recently underwent a tracheostomy. The first priority when caring for a client with a tracheostomy is: a) helping him communicate. b) keeping his airway patent. c) encouraging him to perform activities of daily living. d) preventing him from developing an infection.

b) keeping his airway patent.

A client is receiving conscious sedation while undergoing bronchoscopy. Which assessment finding should receive the nurse's immediate attention? a) Absent cough and gag reflexes b) Blood-tinged secretions c) Oxygen saturation of 90% d) Respiratory rate of 13 breaths/min

c) Oxygen saturation of 90%

A client with a suspected pulmonary disorder undergoes pulmonary function tests. To interpret test results accurately, the nurse must be familiar with the terminology used to describe pulmonary functions. Which term refers to the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during each respiratory cycle? a) Vital capacity b) Functional residual capacity c) Tidal volume d) Maximal voluntary ventilation

c) Tidal volume

The nurse is teaching a client with chronic bronchitis about breathing exercises. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching? a) Make inhalation longer than exhalation. b) Exhale through an open mouth. c) Use diaphragmatic breathing. d) Use chest breathing.

c) Use diaphragmatic breathing.

A nurse caring for a client with deep vein thrombosis must be especially alert for complications such as pulmonary embolism. Which findings suggest pulmonary embolism? a) Nonproductive cough and abdominal pain b) Hypertension and lack of fever c) Bradypnea and bradycardia d) Chest pain and dyspnea

d) Chest pain and dyspnea

A client has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) values: pH, 7.12; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 40 mm Hg; and bicarbonate (HCO3-), 15 mEq/L. These ABG values suggest which disorder? a) Respiratory alkalosis b) Respiratory acidosis c) Metabolic alkalosis d) Metabolic acidosis

d) Metabolic acidosis

A client is undergoing a complete physical examination as a requirement for college. When checking the client's respiratory status, the nurse observes respiratory excursion to help assess: a) lung vibrations b) vocal sounds c) breath sounds d) chest movements

d) chest movements

A client with Guillain-Barré syndrome develops respiratory acidosis as a result of reduced alveolar ventilation. Which combination of arterial blood gas (ABG) values confirms respiratory acidosis? a) pH, 7.5; PaCO2 30 mm Hg b) pH, 7.40; PaCO2 35 mm Hg c) pH, 7.35; PaCO2 40 mm Hg d) pH, 7.25; PaCO2 50 mm Hg

d) pH, 7.25; PaCO2 50 mm Hg

For a client with an endotracheal (ET) tube, which nursing action is most essential? a) Auscultating the lungs for bilateral breath sounds b) Turning the client from side to side every 2 hours c) Monitoring serial blood gas values every 4 hours d) Providing frequent oral hygiene

a) Auscultating the lungs for bilateral breath sounds

A home health nurse is visiting a home care client with advanced lung cancer. Upon assessing the client, the nurse discovers wheezing, bradycardia, and a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min. These signs are associated with which condition? a) Hypoxia b) Delirium c) Hyperventilation d) Semiconsciousness

a) Hypoxia

A client with respiratory acidosis is admitted to the intensive care unit for close observation. The nurse should stay alert for which complication associated with respiratory acidosis? a) Shock b) Stroke c) Seizures d) Hyperglycemia

a) Shock

A client has been hospitalized for treatment of acute bacterial pneumonia. Which outcome indicates an improvement in the client's condition? a) The client has a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) value of 90 mm Hg or higher. b) The client has a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) value of 65 mm Hg or higher. c) The client exhibits restlessness and confusion. d) The client exhibits bronchial breath sounds over the affected area.

a) The client has a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) value of 90 mm Hg or higher.

What is the normal pH range for arterial blood? a) 7 to 7.49 b) 7.35 to 7.45 c) 7.50 to 7.60 d) 7.55 to 7.65

b) 7.35 to 7.45

A client with a pulmonary embolus has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) values: pH, 7.49; partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), 60 mm Hg; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 30 mm Hg; bicarbonate (HCO3-) 25 mEq/L. What should the nurse do first? a) Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag. b) Administer oxygen by nasal cannula as prescribed. c) Auscultate breath sounds bilaterally every 4 hours. d) Encourage the client to deep-breathe and cough every 2 hours.

b) Administer oxygen by nasal cannula as prescribed.

A 29-year-old client with severe shortness of breath comes to the emergency department. He tells the emergency department staff that he recently traveled to China for business. Based on his travel history and presentation, the staff suspects severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Which isolation precautions should the staff institute? a) Droplet precautions b) Airborne and contact precautions c) Contact and droplet precautions d) Contact precautions

b) Airborne and contact precautions

An adult client with cystic fibrosis is admitted to an acute care facility with an acute respiratory infection. Prescribed respiratory treatment includes chest physiotherapy. When should the nurse perform this procedure? a) Immediately before a meal b) At least 2 hours after a meal c) When bronchospasms occur d) When secretions have mobilized

b) At least 2 hours after a meal

When a client's ventilation is impaired, the body retains which substance? a) Sodium bicarbonate b) Carbon dioxide c) Nitrous oxide d) Oxygen

b) Carbon dioxide

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being evaluated for a lung transplant. The nurse performs the initial physical assessment. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to find? a) Decreased respiratory rate b) Dyspnea on exertion c) Barrel chest d) Shortened expiratory phase e) Clubbed fingers and toes f) Fever

b) Dyspnea on exertion c) Barrel chest e) Clubbed fingers and toes

A client abruptly sits up in bed, reports having difficulty breathing and has an arterial oxygen saturation of 88%. Which mode of oxygen delivery would most likely reverse the manifestations? a) Simple mask b) Nonrebreather mask c) Face tent d) Nasal cannula

b) Nonrebreather mask

An elderly client with influenza is admitted to an acute care facility. The nurse monitors the client closely for complications. What is the most common complication of influenza? a) Septicemia b) Pneumonia c) Meningitis d) Pulmonary edema

b) Pneumonia

A client with myasthenia gravis is receiving continuous mechanical ventilation. When the high-pressure alarm on the ventilator sounds, what should the nurse do? a) Check for an apical pulse. b) Suction the client's artificial airway. c) Increase the oxygen percentage. d) Ventilate the client with a handheld mechanical ventilator.

b) Suction the client's artificial airway.

A client admitted to the facility for treatment for tuberculosis receives instructions about the disease. Which statement made by the client indicates the need for further instruction? a) "I will have to take the medication for up to a year." b) "This disease may come back later if I am under stress." c) "I will stay in isolation for at least 6 weeks." d) "I will always have a positive test for tuberculosis."

c) "I will stay in isolation for at least 6 weeks."

Which task can be safely delegated to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? a) Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic about insulin administration. b) Admitting a client who underwent a thoracotomy to the nursing unit from the postanesthesia care unit. c) Changing the dressing of a client who underwent surgery two days ago. d) Administering an I.V. bolus of morphine sulfate to a client experiencing incisional pain

c) Changing the dressing of a client who underwent surgery two days ago.

A recent immigrant from Vietnam is diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement with this client? a) Client teaching about the cause of TB b) Reviewing the risk factors for TB c) Developing a list of people with whom the client has had contact d) Client teaching about the importance of TB testing

c) Developing a list of people with whom the client has had contact

A client who sustained a pulmonary contusion in a motor vehicle accident develops a pulmonary embolism. Which nursing diagnosis takes priority with this client? a) Excess fluid volume related to excess sodium intake b) Acute pain related to tissue trauma c) Ineffective breathing pattern related to tissue trauma d) Activity intolerance related to insufficient energy to carry out activities of daily living

c) Ineffective breathing pattern related to tissue trauma

A client is receiving supplemental oxygen. When determining the effectiveness of oxygen therapy, which arterial blood gas value is most important? a) pH b) Bicarbonate (HCO3-) c) Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) d) Partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2)

c) Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with asthma. Which teaching point has the highest priority? a) Avoid contact with fur-bearing animals. b) Change filters on heating and air conditioning units frequently. c) Take prescribed medications as scheduled. d) Avoid goose down pillows.

c) Take prescribed medications as scheduled.

or a client with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which nursing action best promotes adequate gas exchange? a) Encouraging the client to drink three glasses of fluid daily b) Keeping the client in semi-Fowler's position c) Using a high-flow Venturi mask to deliver oxygen as prescribed d) Administering a sedative as prescribed

c) Using a high-flow Venturi mask to deliver oxygen as prescribed

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recovering from a myocardial infarction. Because the client is extremely weak and can't produce an effective cough, the nurse should monitor closely for: a) pleural effusion. b) pulmonary edema. c) atelectasis. d) oxygen toxicity.

c) atelectasis.

The nurse is assessing a client who comes to the clinic for care. Which findings in this client suggest bacterial pneumonia? a) Nonproductive cough and normal temperature b) Sore throat and abdominal pain c) Hemoptysis and dysuria d) Dyspnea and wheezing

d) Dyspnea and wheezing

The nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. As part of prescribed therapy, the client must use a bedside incentive spirometer to promote maximal deep breathing. The nurse checks to make sure the client is using the spirometer properly. During each waking hour, the client should perform a minimum of how many sustained, voluntary inflation maneuvers? a) One to two b) Three to four c) Five to seven d) Eight to ten

d) Eight to ten

When caring for a client with acute respiratory failure, the nurse should expect to focus on resolving which set of problems? a) Hypotension, hyperoxemia, and hypercapnia b) Hyperventilation, hypertension, and hypocapnia c) Hyperoxemia, hypocapnia, and hyperventilation d) Hypercapnia, hypoventilation, and hypoxemia

d) Hypercapnia, hypoventilation, and hypoxemia

On arrival at the intensive care unit, a critically ill client suffers respiratory arrest and is placed on mechanical ventilation. The physician orders pulse oximetry to monitor the client's arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) noninvasively. Which vital sign abnormality may alter pulse oximetry values? a) Fever b) Tachypnea c) Tachycardia d) Hypotension

d) Hypotension

A client hospitalized for treatment of a pulmonary embolism develops respiratory alkalosis. Which clinical findings commonly accompany respiratory alkalosis? a) Nausea or vomiting b) Abdominal pain or diarrhea c) Hallucinations or tinnitus d) Light-headedness or paresthesia

d) Light-headedness or paresthesia

A client admitted with acute anxiety has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) values: pH, 7.55; partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), 90 mm Hg; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 27 mm Hg; and bicarbonate (HCO3-), 24 mEq/L. Based on these values, the nurse suspects: a) metabolic acidosis. b) metabolic alkalosis. c) respiratory acidosis. d) respiratory alkalosis.

d) respiratory alkalosis.

The nurse prepares to perform postural drainage. How should the nurse ascertain the best position to facilitate clearing the lungs? a) Inspection b) Chest X-ray c) Arterial blood gas (ABG) levels d)Auscultation

d)Auscultation