Deck 30: Respiratory Function

Question 1

Oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the alveoli and the blood by:

A) osmosis.
B) hyperosmolar pressure.
C) diffusion.
D) negative pressure.

Answer 1

diffusion.

Question 2

When the nurse observes a newborn infant demonstrating an irregular abdominal breathing pattern, with a respiratory rate of 50 breaths/minute with occasional pauses in breathing of 5-second durations, the most appropriate action by the nurse is to:

A) begin resuscitation efforts.
B) elevate the head of the crib.
C) continue to assess the infant.
D) position the infant side-lying.

Answer 2

continue to assess the infant.

Question 3

The nurse is assessing a newborn in the nursery. The nurse notes the infant has episodes in which breathing ceased for 20 seconds on two occasions. The nurse correctly recognizes this condition as:

A) dyspnea.
B) apnea.
C) orthopnea.
D) hypercapnea.

Answer 3

apnea.

Question 4

During a routine prenatal care visit, a pregnant woman in her last trimester of pregnancy reports that she has occasional shortness of breath. The nurse instructs her that:

A) a prompt referral for follow-up care will be made.
B) a chest x-ray is likely indicated.
C) the nurse will assess her lung sounds and determine whether she has pneumonia.
D) breathing becomes increasingly difficult as the diaphragm is displaced.

Question 5

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports severe shortness of breath when it is raining. The nurse says to the client:

A) "The airway becomes occluded during periods of rain."
B) "The air is thicker or more viscous with humidity, thus it is harder for you to breathe."
C) "You should use your inhaler as often as necessary during this time to help your breathing."
D) "Have you had a stress test to determine if your airway is obstructed?"

Question 6

It is a red air-quality day in your city. This means the air is stagnant, with high pollution levels and high humidity. Which client is most likely to experience shortness of breath?

A) Child with asthma
B) Middle-age adult with hypertension
C) Teenager with contact dermatitis
D) Young adult without disease

Question 7

A nurse is reading a journal article about pollutants and their effect on an individual's respiratory function. Which problem would the nurse most likely identify as an effect of exposure to automobile pollutants?

A) Atelectasis
B) Bronchitis
C) Bronchiectasis
D) Croup

Question 8

A nurse is volunteering at a day camp. A child is stung by a bee and develops wheezing in the upper airways. The child is experiencing:

A) a bronchospasm.
B) bronchitis.
C) bronchiectasis.
D) bronchiolitis.

Question 9

Which dietary guideline would be appropriate for the older adult homebound client with advanced respiratory disease who informs the nurse that the client has no energy to eat?

A) Snack on high-carbohydrate foods frequently.
B) Eat smaller meals that are high in protein.
C) Contact the physician for nutrition shake.
D) Eat one large meal at noon.

Question 10

A woman comes to the emergency department with her 2-year-old. She states he woke up and had a loud barking cough. The child is suffering from:

A) atelectasis.
B) pulmonary fibrosis.
C) asthma.
D) croup.

Question 11

A client suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complains that it is hard to cough up secretions and they are thick and sticky. The nurse should instruct the client to:

A) increase fluid intake to thin secretions.
B) eat small, frequent meals to conserve energy.
C) decrease exercise and increase rest periods.
D) take a cough suppressant to decrease coughing.

Question 12

A child is admitted to the pediatric division with an acute asthma attack. The nurse assesses the lung sounds and respiratory rate. The mother asks the nurse, "Why is his chest sucking in above his stomach? The nurse's most accurate response is:

A) he will require additional testing to determine the cause?
B) he is using his chest muscles to help him breathe?
C) his infection is causing him to breathe harder?
D) his lung muscles are swollen so he is using abdominal muscles?

Question 13

The nurse is assessing a client with lung cancer. What manifestations may suggest that the client has chronic hypoxia?

A) Edema
B) Hemoptysis
C) Constipation
D) Clubbing

Question 14

Which skin disorder is associated with asthma?

A) Seborrhea
B) Psoriasis
C) Abrasions
D) Eczema

Question 15

The nurse auscultates a client with soft, high-pitched popping breath sounds on inspiration. The nurse documents the breath sounds heard as:

A) crackles.
B) vesicular.
C) wheezes.
D) rales.

Question 16

Which medication is administered in the home or the hospital to relieve inflammation in the lung tissue?

A) Antibiotics
B) Bronchodilators
C) Expectorants
D) Corticosteroids

Question 17

The home care nurse visits a client with compromised lung function. The client has greenish-yellow sputum with a musty odor. This is indicative of:

A) allergy.
B) congestive heart failure.
C) asthma.
D) infection.

Question 18

A nurse assess a client's oxygen saturation level via pulse oximetry. The nurse would report which reading to the provider?

A) 99%
B) 96%
C) 94%
D) 91%

Question 19

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires low flow oxygen. How will the oxygen be administered?

A) Nasal cannula
B) Simple oxygen mask
C) Venturi mask
D) Partial rebreather mask

Question 20

The client has an increased anteroposterior chest diameter, dyspnea, and nasal flaring. The most appropriate nursing diagnosis is:

A) hypoxia related to pneumonia and ineffective airway clearance related to dyspnea edema.
B) ineffective breathing pattern related to hyperventilation related to increased anteroposterior diameter.
C) risk for ineffective airway clearance related to infection as evidenced by dyspnea and yellow-green sputum.
D) impaired gas exchange related to increased carbon dioxide and irritability.

Question 21

A client has edema of the feet and ankles, along with crackles in the lower lobes and a frothy, productive cough. The client is suffering from:

A) pulmonary embolism.
B) myocardial infarction.
C) lung cancer.
D) congestive heart failure.

Question 22

The nurse is talking with a client who has COPD. The client reports the chest shape seems to have changed over the past year. What information should be provided by the nurse?

A) "Your chest diameter has increased as the musculature has matured in an effort to obtain increased amounts of oxygen."
B) "Your lung condition limits the ability of the lungs to fully exhale, causing this change in shape."
C) "Chronic lung conditions such as this are associated with fluid retention in the lower lung fields, causing the change in the chest shape."
D) "The corticosteroids prescribed to manage the condition have caused a change in the shape of the chest wall."

Question 23

The nurse is reviewing the pulse oximeter readings from a postoperative client. The nurse correctly recognizes that readings below what level indicate the need for oxygen therapy and further assessment?

A) 97%
B) 95%
C) 93%
D) 90%

Question 24

The nursing assessment reveals reduced fremitus. This manifestation is consistent with which conditions? Select all that apply.

A) Right-sided heart failure
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pneumonia
D) Pulmonary edema
E) Bronchial obstruction

Question 25

A client who is scheduled for a bronchoscopy has arrived at the clinical facility. When preparing for the test, the client reports feeling hungry and asks the nurse, "When will I be able to eat.?" What information should be provided by the nurse?

A) "You will not be allowed to eat or drink until the physician has seen you."
B) "You may immediately resume your normal diet after the test."
C) "You will not be able to eat or drink until your gag reflex has returned."
D) "It will be at least 8 hours after the procedure before you are allowed to eat or drink."