Question 1

Which of the following characteristics is NOT common for pleuritic chest pain?
A)Located laterally
B)Increases with breathing
C)Often radiates to the arm or jaw
D)Sharp

Accepted Answer

Pleuritic chest pain typically does not radiate to the arm or jaw. It is usually described as sharp and located laterally, and it increases with breathing due to irritation of the pleural lining of the lungs.

Question 2

What term is used to describe sputum that contains pus?
A)Purulent
B)Fetid
C)Mucoid
D)Tenacious

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe sputum that contains pus is purulent.

Question 3

Your patient has severe emphysema with a weak cough.Which of the following is least likely to contribute to a weak cough in such patients?
A)Increased lung recoil
B)High airways resistance
C)Weak breathing muscles
D)Poor nutrition

Accepted Answer

Increased lung recoil is not characteristic of emphysema; instead, emphysema is marked by decreased lung recoil due to the destruction of alveolar walls, which contributes to air trapping and difficulty in expelling air, not a weak cough directly.

Question 4

Which of the following is least likely to cause a patient to cough?
A)Pericarditis
B)Inhalation of cigarette smoke
C)Infection of the bronchi
D)Pleural inflammation

Accepted Answer

Pericarditis is inflammation of the lining around the heart, and it is not typically associated with coughing. The other three options (B, C, and D) are all respiratory conditions that often cause coughing.

Question 5

What section of the patient's medical history is most important for the RT to read prior to rendering care?
A)Past medical history
B)Social history
C)History of present illness
D)Smoking history

Accepted Answer

The history of present illness is the most important section for the RT to read prior to rendering care as it provides important information about the patient's current condition and the reason for the current hospitalization. This information is crucial in selecting appropriate treatments and interventions for the patient.

Question 6

What is the most common cause of increased sputum production in adult patients?
A)Infection
B)Cigarette smoking
C)Asthma
D)Bronchiectasis

Accepted Answer

Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of increased sputum production in adult patients. Smoking irritates the airways, leading to inflammation and increased mucus production. This can result in chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are characterized by persistent cough and sputum production. Infection, asthma, and bronchiectasis can also lead to increased sputum production, but they are not as common as smoking.

Question 7

Your adult patient is breathing at a rate of 12 per minute.How would you classify this?
A)Normal
B)Bradypnea
C)Apnea
D)Tachypnea

Accepted Answer

A breathing rate of 12 per minute is considered a normal respiratory rate for an adult.

Question 8

Patients who are short of breath often complain of what other symptom?
A)Chest pain
B)Anxiety
C)Cough
D)Dizziness

Accepted Answer

Anxiety is a common symptom associated with shortness of breath. Patients may feel apprehensive or afraid when they experience difficulty breathing, especially if it is sudden or severe. This can also exacerbate the sensation of being short of breath.

Answer: C 
 Coughing is another symptom that can be associated with shortness of breath. It may occur due to respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. The cough may be dry or productive and is often accompanied by wheezing or chest tightness.

Therefore, the options are B and C.

Question 9

Which of the following conditions often causes the patient to breathe rapidly and shallowly?
A)Atelectasis
B)Pulmonary fibrosis
C)Pneumonia
D)All the above

Accepted Answer

All the conditions listed - atelectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonia - can cause a patient to breathe rapidly and shallowly due to impaired gas exchange and reduced lung compliance.

Question 10

What term is used to describe shortness of breath in the reclining position?
A)Platypnea
B)Apnea
C)Orthopnea
D)Eupnea

Accepted Answer

Orthopnea is the term used to describe shortness of breath that occurs when lying down and is typically relieved by sitting or standing up. It is commonly associated with heart failure and other cardiac or respiratory conditions.

Question 11

Which of the following conditions is associated with copious amounts of sputum production?
A)Asthma
B)Emphysema
C)Bronchiectasis
D)Congestive heart failure

Accepted Answer

Bronchiectasis is a condition where the bronchial tubes become damaged and widened, which can lead to an excessive amount of sputum production. Asthma may produce small amounts of sputum, while emphysema and congestive heart failure are not typically associated with increased sputum production.

Question 12

Your patient has pneumonia and is having an asthma attack.Which of the following mechanisms would be contributing to the sensation of dyspnea?
A)Increase in the work of breathing due to high airway resistance
B)Increase in the work of breathing due to low lung compliance
C)Increase in the drive to breathe due to hypoxemia
D)All the above

Accepted Answer

All three mechanisms (increase in airway resistance, decrease in lung compliance, and hypoxemia) can contribute to the sensation of dyspnea in a patient with pneumonia and an asthma attack. The combination of inflammation, mucus production, and bronchoconstriction in the airways can lead to an increased work of breathing and airway resistance, making it harder for the patient to breathe. The damage to the lung tissue from pneumonia can also decrease lung compliance, making it harder for the lungs to expand and take in air. Hypoxemia, which is low levels of oxygen in the blood, can stimulate the drive to breathe and make the patient feel short of breath.

Question 13

Which of the following disorders is associated with a cough?
A)Asthma
B)Gastroesophageal reflux disease
C)Postnasal drip
D)All the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above disorders can be associated with a cough. Asthma can cause coughing due to the narrowing of the airways, GERD can lead to a chronic cough from acid reflux irritating the throat, and postnasal drip can cause coughing as mucus drips down the throat.

Question 14

When the brain becomes hypoxic,what often occurs?
A)Bradypnea
B)Bradycardia
C)Rapid and shallow breathing
D)Abnormal sensorium

Accepted Answer

When the brain becomes hypoxic, abnormal sensorium often occurs.

Question 15

Systolic blood pressure values above what number represent hypertension?
A)130 mmHg
B)140 mmHg
C)150 mmHg
D)160 mmHg

Accepted Answer

According to the American Heart Association, a systolic blood pressure reading of 140 mmHg or higher represents hypertension.

Question 16

Which of the following conditions is least likely to cause hemoptysis?
A)Acute bronchitis
B)Acute asthma
C)Bronchogenic carcinoma
D)Pulmonary embolism

Accepted Answer

Acute asthma is less likely to cause hemoptysis compared to the other conditions listed. Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is more commonly associated with infections (like acute bronchitis), malignancies (such as bronchogenic carcinoma), and vascular issues (such as pulmonary embolism) rather than with the airway constriction and inflammation typical of acute asthma.

Question 17

Your patient has bilateral wheezing.Which of the following conditions often causes this finding?
A)Asthma
B)Acute bronchitis
C)Congestive heart failure
D)All the above

Accepted Answer

Bilateral wheezing can be caused by conditions that lead to airway constriction or inflammation, affecting both lungs. Asthma, acute bronchitis, and congestive heart failure can all lead to this symptom, making all the options correct.

Question 18

Which of the following problems would potentially add to the patient's shortness of breath by increasing the drive to breathe?
A)Metabolic alkalosis
B)Leukocytosis
C)Polycythemia
D)Severe hypoxemia

Accepted Answer

Severe hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) can increase the drive to breathe, causing patients to feel short of breath. This is because the body is trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen by increasing the respiratory rate and depth. Metabolic alkalosis (increased pH of the blood), leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count), and polycythemia (increased red blood cell count) are not directly related to an increased drive to breathe and would not necessarily worsen shortness of breath.

Question 19

Your patient has severe pneumonia but her fever is minimal.What may explain this?
A)Liver failure
B)Renal failure
C)Compromised cardiac function
D)Compromised immune system

Accepted Answer

A compromised immune system can lead to reduced fever response even in the presence of severe pneumonia.

Question 20

Which of the following conditions causes the patient to breathe with a prolonged expiratory time?
A)Acute asthma
B)Congetive heart failure
C)Atelectasis
D)All the above

Accepted Answer

Acute asthma causes narrowed airways, making it difficult to exhale air out of the lungs efficiently, resulting in a prolonged expiratory time. In congestive heart failure, there may be shortness of breath, but it does not necessarily cause a prolonged expiratory time. Similarly, in atelectasis (collapsed lung), there may be decreased breath sounds, but it does not cause a prolonged expiratory time.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Patient Assessment

Which of the following characteristics is NOT common for pleuritic chest pain?

What term is used to describe sputum that contains pus?

Your patient has severe emphysema with a weak cough.Which of the following is least likely to contribute to a weak cough in such patients?

Which of the following is least likely to cause a patient to cough?

What section of the patient's medical history is most important for the RT to read prior to rendering care?

What is the most common cause of increased sputum production in adult patients?

Your adult patient is breathing at a rate of 12 per minute.How would you classify this?

Patients who are short of breath often complain of what other symptom?

Which of the following conditions often causes the patient to breathe rapidly and shallowly?

What term is used to describe shortness of breath in the reclining position?

Which of the following conditions is associated with copious amounts of sputum production?

Your patient has pneumonia and is having an asthma attack.Which of the following mechanisms would be contributing to the sensation of dyspnea?

Which of the following disorders is associated with a cough?

When the brain becomes hypoxic,what often occurs?

Systolic blood pressure values above what number represent hypertension?

Which of the following conditions is least likely to cause hemoptysis?

Your patient has bilateral wheezing.Which of the following conditions often causes this finding?

Which of the following problems would potentially add to the patient's shortness of breath by increasing the drive to breathe?

Your patient has severe pneumonia but her fever is minimal.What may explain this?

Which of the following conditions causes the patient to breathe with a prolonged expiratory time?