Question 1

The major function of the lungs is gas exchange and the delivery of oxygen to all parts of the body. The other body systems that maintain the respiratory system include which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The circulatory system works closely with the respiratory system to transport oxygen to various parts of the body and remove carbon dioxide. The musculoskeletal system, particularly the rib cage and diaphragm, plays a crucial role in the mechanics of breathing. The neurological system controls the rate and depth of breathing through the respiratory centers in the brain. The gastrointestinal system is not directly involved in maintaining the respiratory system.

Question 2

During inhalation the nasal cavity performs which of the following functions? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

During inhalation, the nasal cavity warms, humidifies, and filters the air. It does not concentrate oxygen; the concentration of oxygen in inhaled air is determined by the environment.

Question 3

The patient presents at the urgent care center with shortness of breath. Which questions would be appropriate to ask this patient? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

All these questions are appropriate as they help assess the severity, triggers, and management of the patient's shortness of breath, which are crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Question 4

Ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality are highly correlated with which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality are influenced by multiple factors including poverty, urban air quality, indoor allergens, lack of patient education, and inadequate medical care. These factors contribute to disparities in health outcomes among different ethnic groups.

Question 5

In preparation for assessment of the chest the nurse would do which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should advise the patient to breathe normally to accurately assess respiratory function. Comparing findings on the same level on each side ensures symmetry and accuracy in assessment. Keeping the anterior chest covered until assessment helps maintain patient modesty. Lying supine is not typically required for chest assessment.

Question 6

The nurse teaches her patient ways to promote respiratory health and includes which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Smoking is a major risk factor for respiratory diseases, so avoiding it promotes respiratory health. B) Secondhand smoke, air pollutants, and chemicals can harm the respiratory system, so avoiding them is beneficial. C) Good hand and oral hygiene can prevent respiratory infections, promoting respiratory health. D) The recommendation for influenza vaccination is annually, not every 5 years, making this option incorrect.

Question 7

The nurse uses a peak flow meter during a respiratory assessment. She instructs the patient to do which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse uses a peak flow meter...

Question 8

When doing a respiratory assessment on an adult the nurse remembers which of the following is true? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The normal inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio is 1:2, and chest movement should be symmetrical during respiration. The normal respiratory rate for adults is typically 12 to 20 breaths per minute, not 15 to 25, and the chest is generally wider at the bottom, not the top.

Question 9

When assessing a patient's history of respiratory problems it would be important to ask about which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

All the options listed are relevant to a patient's history of respiratory problems. Asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, and pneumonia are all conditions that affect the respiratory system and can provide crucial information about a patient's respiratory health.

Question 10

In the lungs, gases move across systemic capillaries and an exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs at the cellular level. Which of the following is true regarding carbon dioxide? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is indeed a waste product of cellular metabolism, specifically the metabolism of oxygen as cells use oxygen to produce energy, CO2 is produced as a byproduct. It is released from the body through the lungs at the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs, allowing CO2 to be exhaled and oxygen to be inhaled. CO2 also plays a crucial role in regulating the respiratory rate by influencing the respiratory centers in the brain; high levels of CO2 in the blood can trigger an increase in the rate and depth of respiration to expel more CO2. Additionally, CO2 is vital in maintaining the acid/base balance in the body through its role in the bicarbonate buffer system, which helps to maintain blood pH within a narrow range.

Question 11

The alveoli in the lungs secrete surfactant, which serves to do which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, which prevents them from collapsing and keeps them moist.

Question 12

You are inspecting the thoracic cage of a middle-aged male. He does not have a history of smoking or chronic pulmonary disease. Identify the normal findings. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The normal findings for the thoracic cage include an AP-to-lateral ratio of approximately 1:2, a conical shape, symmetry, and uniform color. These indicate a healthy thoracic structure without deformities or signs of respiratory distress.

Question 13

You are performing the respiratory assessment technique of tactile fremitus. The purpose of this technique is to:

Accepted Answer

Tactile fremitus is a technique used to assess the vibration of the chest wall produced by the voice. It involves palpating the chest as the patient speaks, allowing the healthcare provider to feel the vibrations transmitted through the bronchopulmonary system. This can help identify areas of increased density or consolidation, such as in pneumonia, where vibrations may be more pronounced.

Question 14

During a respiratory assessment, the purpose of palpating the thorax is to assess for:

Accepted Answer

Palpating the thorax during a respiratory assessment is primarily aimed at evaluating surface characteristics, such as lumps or lesions, and detecting any areas of tenderness that might indicate underlying issues. This technique does not assess for color or sounds, which are evaluated through inspection and auscultation respectively.

Question 15

A patient comes to the health clinic complaining of cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. You are going to assess for posterior symmetrical expansion. Where will you place your hands?

Accepted Answer

Posterior symmetrical expansion is typically assessed by placing the hands on the lower thoracic region, around thoracic vertebrae 9 or 10, to effectively evaluate lung expansion during respiration.

Question 16

You are performing a respiratory assessment and palpating for tactile fremitus on an older patient. The patient has a past medical history of pneumonia. If the patient has pneumonia again, what will be the findings?

Accepted Answer

Increased tactile fremitus is expected in conditions where the lung tissue becomes consolidated, such as in pneumonia. This consolidation allows sound waves from the voice to be transmitted more effectively through the lung tissue, leading to increased vibrations that can be felt on palpation.

Question 17

A patient comes to the health-care provider's office stating she has been short of breath for the past 2 days. She rates her shortness of breath a 6/10. The patient has a past medical history of asthma. You are percussing the lungs and will do all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Percussion of the lateral lung fields is not typically performed during a lung assessment.

Question 18

You are auscultating the mid-chest anterior intercostal spaces of a middle-aged adult.
What are the medium-pitched sounds?

Accepted Answer

Bronchovesicular sounds are medium-pitched and found over the major bronchi, typically between the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces anteriorly near the sternum. They are characterized by a mix of bronchial and vesicular sounds, indicating air flow through larger airway branches.

Question 19

During the assessment, the nurse explains to the patient that the structure that has roles in speech, breathing, and prevention of aspiration is the:

Accepted Answer

The oropharynx is the part of the pharynx that is located behind the oral cavity. It is involved in speech, breathing, and the prevention of aspiration.

Question 20

The serous membrane that lines and adheres to the thoracic wall and produces pleural fluid is the:

Accepted Answer

The parietal pleura is the serous membrane that lines and adheres to the thoracic wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum, and is responsible for producing pleural fluid.

Quiz 12: Assessing the Respiratory System