Respiratory

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 slightly obese client with a history of allergy-induced asthma, hypertension, and mitral valve prolapse is admitted to an acute care facility for elective surgery. The nurse obtains a complete history and performs a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. When percussing the client's chest wall, the nurse expects to elicit: a) resonant sounds. b) hyperresonant sounds. c) dull sounds. d) flat sounds.

a) resonant sounds.

A client has a sucking stab wound to the chest. Which action should the nurse take first? a) Draw blood for a hematocrit and hemoglobin level. b) Apply a dressing over the wound and tape it on three sides. c) Prepare a chest tube insertion tray. d) Prepare to start an I.V. line.

b) Apply a dressing over the wound and tape it on three sides.

Before weaning a client from a ventilator, which assessment parameter is most important for the nurse to review? a) Fluid intake for the past 24 hours b) Baseline arterial blood gas (ABG) levels c) Prior outcomes of weaning d) Electrocardiogram (ECG) results

b) Baseline arterial blood gas (ABG) levels

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 in the emergency department is diagnosed with a communicable disease. When complications of the disease are discovered, the client is admitted to the hospital and placed in respiratory isolation. Which infection warrants respiratory isolation? a) Chickenpox b) Impetigo c) Measles d) Cholera

c) Measles

A client in acute respiratory distress is brought to the emergency department. After endotracheal (ET) intubation and initiation of mechanical ventilation, the client is transferred to the intensive care unit. Before suctioning the ET tube, the nurse hyperventilates and hyperoxygenates the client. What is the rationale for these interventions? a) They help prevent subcutaneous emphysema. b) They help prevent pneumothorax. c) They help prevent cardiac arrhythmias. d) They help prevent pulmonary edema.

c) They help prevent cardiac arrhythmias.

A client admitted with multiple traumatic injuries receives massive fluid resuscitation. Later, the physician suspects that the client has aspirated stomach contents. The nurse knows that this client is at highest risk for: a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). b) bronchial asthma. c) adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). d) renal failure.

c) adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

A client's chest X-ray reveals bilateral white-outs, indicating adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This syndrome results from: a) cardiogenic pulmonary edema. b) respiratory alkalosis. c) increased pulmonary capillary permeability. d) renal failure.

c) increased pulmonary capillary permeability.

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

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

On auscultation, which finding suggests a right pneumothorax? a) Bilateral inspiratory and expiratory crackles b) Absence of breath sounds in the right thorax c) Inspiratory wheezes in the right thorax d) Bilateral pleural friction rub

b) Absence of breath sounds in the right thorax

At 11 p.m., a client is admitted to the emergency department. He has a respiratory rate of 44 breaths/min. He's anxious, and wheezes are audible. The client is immediately given oxygen by face mask and methylprednisolone (Depo-medrol) I.V. At 11:30 p.m., the client's arterial blood oxygen saturation is 86%, and he's still wheezing. The nurse should plan to administer: a) alprazolam (Xanax). b) propranolol (Inderal). c) morphine. d) albuterol (Proventil).

d) albuterol (Proventil).

The nurse assessing a client for tracheal displacement should know that the trachea will deviate toward the: a) contralateral side in a simple pneumothorax. b) affected side in a hemothorax. c) affected side in a tension pneumothorax. d) contralateral side in a hemothorax.

d) contralateral side in a hemothorax.

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

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 suffers adult respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of shock. The client's condition deteriorates rapidly, and endotracheal (ET) intubation and mechanical ventilation are initiated. When the high-pressure alarm on the mechanical ventilator sounds, the nurse starts to check for the cause. Which condition triggers the high-pressure alarm? a) Kinking of the ventilator tubing b) A disconnected ventilator tube c) An ET cuff leak d) A change in the oxygen concentration without resetting the oxygen level alarm

a) Kinking of the ventilator tubing

A 33-year-old woman with primary pulmonary hypertension is being evaluated for a heart-lung transplant. The nurse asks her what treatments she is currently receiving for her disease. She is likely to mention which treatments? (Select all that apply) a) Oxygen b) Aminoglycosides c) Diuretics d) Vasodilators e) Antihistamines f) Sulfonamides

a) Oxygen c) Diuretics d) Vasodilators

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 administers albuterol (Proventil), as prescribed, to a client with emphysema. Which finding indicates that the drug is producing a therapeutic effect? a) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute b) Dilated and reactive pupils c) Urine output of 40 ml/hour d) Heart rate of 100 beats/minute

a) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute

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 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 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 with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP). While caring for the client, the nurse determines that bilateral wrist restraints are required to prevent compromised care. Which client care outcome is associated with restraint use in the client who requires BiPAP? a) The client will remain infection-free. b) The client will maintain adequate oxygenation. c) The client will maintain adequate urine output. d) The client will remain pain-free.

b) The client will maintain adequate oxygenation.

A client with a pneumothorax receives a chest tube attached to a Pleur-evac. The nurse notices that the fluid of the second chamber of the Pleur-evac isn't bubbling. Which nursing assumption would be most invalid? a) The tubing from the client to the chamber is blocked. b) There is a leak somewhere in the tubing system. c) The client's affected lung has reexpanded. d) The tubing needs to be cleared of fluid.

b) There is a leak somewhere in the tubing system.

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 has undergone a left hemicolectomy for bowel cancer. Which activities prevent the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia in this client? a) Administering oxygen, coughing, breathing deeply, and maintaining bed rest b) Coughing, breathing deeply, maintaining bed rest, and using an incentive spirometer c) Coughing, breathing deeply, frequent repositioning, and using an incentive spirometer d) Administering pain medications, frequent repositioning, and limiting fluid intake

c) Coughing, breathing deeply, frequent repositioning, and using an incentive spirometer

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)

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 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

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

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 undergoes a tracheostomy after many failed attempts at weaning him from a mechanical ventilator. Two days after tracheostomy, while the client is being weaned, the nurse detects a mild air leak in the tracheostomy tube cuff. What should the nurse do first? a) Call the physician. b) Remove the malfunctioning cuff. c) Add more air to the cuff. d) Suction the client, withdraw residual air from the cuff, and reinflate it.

d) Suction the client, withdraw residual air from the cuff, and reinflate it.

A nurse on the medical-surgical unit just received report on her client care assignment. Which client should she assess first? a) The client with anorexia, weight loss, and night sweats b) The client with crackles and fever who is complaining of pleuritic pain c) The client who had difficulty sleeping, daytime fatigue, and morning headache d) The client with petechiae over the chest who's complaining of anxiety and shortness of breath

d) The client with petechiae over the chest who's complaining of anxiety and shortness of breath

The nurse observes a new environmental services employee enter the room of a client with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Which action by the employee requires immediate intervention by the nurse? a) The employee wears a gown, gloves, N95 respirator, and eye protection when entering the room. b) The employee doesn't remove the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and thermometer that are kept in the room. c) The employee removes all personal protective equipment and washes her hands before leaving the client's room. d) The employee enters the room wearing a gown, gloves, and a mask.

d) The employee enters the room wearing a gown, gloves, and a mask.

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

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.