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Chapter 26: Nursing Assessment: Respiratory System Test Bank MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the

nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient? a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment. b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress. c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment. d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests. ANS: B

When a patient has severe respiratory distress, only information pertinent to the current episode is obtained, and a more thorough assessment is deferred until later. Obtaining a comprehensive health history or full physical examination is unnecessary until the acute distress has resolved. Brief questioning and a focused physical assessment should be done rapidly to help determine the cause of the distress and suggest treatment. Checking for allergies is important, but it is not appropriate to complete the entire admission database at this time. The initial respiratory assessment must be completed before any diagnostic tests or interventions can be ordered. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 482 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 2. The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How should

the nurse position the patient? a. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees b. In a high-Fowler’s position with the left arm extended c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table ANS: D

The upright position with the arms supported increases lung expansion, allows fluid to collect at the lung bases, and expands the intercostal space so that access to the pleural space is easier. The other positions would increase the work of breathing for the patient and make it more difficult for the health care provider performing the thoracentesis. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 492 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 3. A diabetic patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34  mm Hg; PaO2 85

mm Hg; HCO3– 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding? a. Intercostal retractions b. Kussmaul respirations c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) d. Decreased venous O2 pressure 

ANS: B

Kussmaul (deep and rapid) respirations are a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The low pH and low bicarbonate result indicate metabolic acidosis. Intercostal retractions, a low oxygen saturation rate, and a decrease in venous O2 pressure  would not be caused by acidosis. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 479 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 4. On auscultation of a patient’s lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds during

inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this finding? a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes ANS: A

Crackles are low-pitched, bubbling sounds usually heard on inspiration. Wheezes are high-pitched sounds. They can be heard during the expiratory or inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle. The lower third of both lungs are the bases, not apices. Pleural friction rubs are grating sounds that are usually heard during both inspiration and expiration. DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 487 | 489 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 5. The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says “99” and notes absent fremitus.

Which action should the nurse take next? a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest. b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe. c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia. d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally. ANS: D

To assess for tactile fremitus, the nurse should use the palms of the hands to assess for vibration when the patient repeats a word or phrase such as “99.” After noting absent fremitus, the nurse should then auscultate the lungs to assess for the presence or absence of breath sounds. Absent fremitus may be noted with pneumothorax or atelectasis. The vibration is increased in conditions such as pneumonia, lung tumors, thick bronchial secretions, and pleural effusion. Turning, coughing, and deep breathing is an appropriate intervention for atelectasis, but the nurse needs to first assess breath sounds. Fremitus is decreased if the hand is farther from the lung or the lung is hyperinflated (barrel chest).The anterior of the chest is more difficult to palpate for fremitus because of the presence of large muscles and breast tissue. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 486 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 6. A patient with a chronic cough has a bronchoscopy. After the procedure, which intervention

by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Elevate the head of the bed to 80 to 90 degrees. b. Keep the patient NPO until the gag reflex returns. c. Place on bed rest for at least 4 hours after bronchoscopy. d. Notify the health care provider about blood-tinged mucus. ANS: B

Risk for aspiration and maintaining an open airway is the priority. Because a local anesthetic is used to suppress the gag/cough reflexes during bronchoscopy, the nurse should monitor for the return of these reflexes before allowing the patient to take oral fluids or food. Blood-tinged mucus is not uncommon after bronchoscopy. The patient does not need to be on bed rest, and the head of the bed does not need to be in the high-Fowler’s position. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 492 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 7. The nurse completes a shift assessment on a patient admitted in the early phase of heart

failure. When auscultating the patient’s lungs, which finding would the nurse most likely hear? a. Continuous rumbling, snoring, or rattling sounds mainly on expiration b. Continuous high-pitched musical sounds on inspiration and expiration c. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration heard on inspiration d.  A series of long-duration, discontinuous, low-pitched sounds during inspiration ANS: C

Fine crackles are likely to be heard in the early phase of heart failure. Fine crackles are discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration heard on inspiration. Rhonchi are continuous rumbling, snoring, or rattling sounds mainly on expiration. Course crackles are a series of long-duration, discontinuous, low-pitched sounds during inspiration. Wheezes are continuous high-pitched musical sounds on inspiration and expiration. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 489 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 8. While caring for a patient with respiratory disease, the nurse observes that the patient’s SpO2

drops from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating in the hallway. What is the priority action of the nurse? a. Notify the health care provider. b. Document the response to exercise. c. Administer the PRN supplemental O2 . d. Encourage the patient to pace activity. ANS: C

The drop in SpO2 to  85% indicates that the patient is hypoxemic and needs supplemental oxygen when exercising. The other actions are also important, but the first action should be to correct the hypoxemia. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 480 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

9. The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary function testing (PFT). Which statement, if made

by the patient, indicates teaching was effective? a. “I will use my inhaler right before the test.” b. “I won’t eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test.” c. “I should inhale deeply and blow out as hard as I can during the test.” d. “My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes after the test.” ANS: C

For PFT, the patient should inhale deeply and exhale as long, hard, and fast as possible. The other actions are not needed with PFT. The administration of inhaled bronchodilators should be avoided 6 hours before the procedure. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 493-495 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 10. The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient’s lungs who is having no problems

with breathing. Which action by the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills? a. The student starts at the apices of the lungs and moves to the bases. b. The student compares breath sounds from side to side avoiding bony areas. c.  The student places the stethoscope over the posterior chest and listens during inspiration. d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and a little more deeply than normal through the mouth. ANS: C

Listening only during inspiration indicates the student needs a review of respiratory assessment skills. At each placement of the stethoscope, listen to at least one cycle of inspiration and expiration. During chest auscultation, instruct the patient to breathe slowly and a little deeper than normal through the mouth. Auscultation should proceed from the lung apices to the bases, comparing opposite areas of the chest, unless the patient is in respiratory distress or will tire easily. If so, start at the bases (see Fig. 26-7). Place the stethoscope over lung tissue, not over bony prominences. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 486 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment 11. A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was

hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels  of 89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching? a. Start giving the patient discharge teaching on the day of admission. b. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching. c. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge. d. Arrange for the patient’s caregiver to be present during the teaching. ANS: D

Hypoxemia interferes with the patient’s ability to learn and retain information, so having the

patient’s caregiver present will increase the likelihood that discharge instructions will be followed. Having the patient repeat the instructions will indicate that the information is understood at the time, but it does not guarantee retention of the information. Because the patient is likely to be distracted just before discharge, giving discharge instructions just before discharge is not ideal. The patient is likely to be anxious and even more hypoxemic than usual on the day of admission, so teaching about discharge should be postponed. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 484 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 12. A patient is admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset shortness of

breath and is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis? a. Start an IV so contrast media may be given. b. Ensure that the patient has been NPO for at least 6 hours. c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed. d. Instruct the patient to undress to the waist and remove any metal objects. ANS: A

Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans are the most commonly used test to diagnose pulmonary emboli, and contrast media may be given IV. A chest x-ray may be ordered but will not be diagnostic for a pulmonary embolus. Preparation for a chest x-ray includes undressing and removing any metal. Bronchoscopy is used to detect changes in the bronchial tree, not to assess for vascular changes, and the patient should be NPO 6 to 12 hours before the procedure. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are most useful in determining the presence of malignancy, and a radioactive glucose preparation is used. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 492 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 13. The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma attack. Which statement

indicates that the patient may need teaching regarding medication use? a. “I have not had any acute asthma attacks during the last year.” b. “I became short of breath an hour before coming to the hospital.” c. “I’ve been taking Tylenol 650 mg every 6 hours for chest-wall pain.” d. “I’ve been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days.” ANS: D

The increased need for a rapid-acting bronchodilator should alert the patient that an acute attack may be imminent and that a change in therapy may be needed. The patient should be taught to contact a health care provider if this occurs. The other data do not indicate any need for additional teaching. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 482 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 14. A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan.

Which information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care provider before the CT?

a. Allergy to shellfish b. Apical pulse of 104 c. Respiratory rate of 30 d. Oxygen saturation of 90% ANS: A

Because iodine-based contrast media is used during a spiral CT, the patient may need to have the CT scan without contrast or be premedicated before injection of the contrast media. The increased pulse, low oxygen saturation, and tachypnea all indicate a need for further assessment or intervention but do not indicate a need to modify the CT procedure. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 492 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 15. The nurse analyzes the results of a patient’s arterial blood gases (ABGs). Which finding

would require immediate action? a. The bicarbonate level (HCO3–) is 31 mEq/L. b. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2 ) is 92%. c. The partial pressure of CO2 in  arterial blood (PaCO2) is 31 mm Hg. d. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2 ) is 59 mm Hg. ANS: D

All the values are abnormal, but the low PaO2 indicates  that the patient is at the point on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve where a small change in the PaO2 will  cause a large drop in the O2 saturation  and a decrease in tissue oxygenation. The nurse should intervene immediately to improve the patient’s oxygenation. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: eTable 26-1 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 16. When assessing the respiratory system of an older patient, which finding indicates that the

nurse should take immediate action? a. Weak cough effort b. Barrel-shaped chest c. Dry mucous membranes d. Bilateral crackles at lung bases ANS: D

Crackles in the lower half of the lungs indicate that the patient may have an acute problem such as heart failure. The nurse should immediately accomplish further assessments, such as oxygen saturation, and notify the health care provider. A barrel-shaped chest, hyperresonance to percussion, and a weak cough effort are associated with aging. Further evaluation may be needed, but immediate action is not indicated. An older patient has a less forceful cough and fewer and less functional cilia. Mucous membranes tend to be drier. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 489 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

17. A patient in metabolic alkalosis is admitted to the emergency department, and pulse oximetry (SpO2) indicates that the O2 saturation  is 94%. Which action should the nurse take next? a.

Administer bicarbonate. b. Complete a head-to-toe assessment. c. Place the patient on high-flow oxygen. d. Obtain repeat arterial blood gases (ABGs). ANS: C

Although the O2 saturation  is adequate, the left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve will decrease the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues, so high oxygen concentrations should be given. Bicarbonate would worsen the patient's condition. A head-to-toe assessment and repeat ABGs may be implemented. However, the priority intervention is to give high-flow oxygen. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: eTable 26-1 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 18. After the nurse has received change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess

first? a. A patient with pneumonia who has crackles in the right lung base b. A patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy c. A patient with hemoptysis and a 16-mm induration with tuberculin skin testing d. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary function testing (PFT) that indicates low forced vital capacity ANS: B

Because the cough and gag are decreased after bronchoscopy, this patient should be assessed for airway patency. The other patients do not have clinical manifestations or procedures that require immediate assessment by the nurse. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 492 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization; Multiple Patients TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment 19. The laboratory has just called with the arterial blood gas (ABG) results on four patients.

Which result is most important for the nurse to report immediately to the health care provider? a. pH 7.34, PaO2 82  mm Hg, PaCO2 40  mm Hg, and O2 sat  97% b. pH 7.35, PaO2 85  mm Hg, PaCO2 45  mm Hg, and O2 sat  95% c. pH 7.46, PaO2 90  mm Hg, PaCO2 32  mm Hg, and O2 sat  98% d. pH 7.31, PaO2 91  mm Hg, PaCO2 50  mm Hg, and O2 sat  96% ANS: D

These ABGs indicate uncompensated respiratory acidosis and should be reported to the health care provider. The other values are normal or close to normal. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 479 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 20. The nurse assesses a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has

been admitted with increasing dyspnea over the last 3 days. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider? a. Respirations are 36 breaths/minute. b. Anterior-posterior chest ratio is 1:1. c. Lung expansion is decreased bilaterally. d. Hyperresonance to percussion is present. ANS: A

The increase in respiratory rate indicates respiratory distress and a need for rapid interventions such as administration of oxygen or medications. The other findings are common chronic changes occurring in patients with COPD. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 482 OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 21. Using the illustrated technique, the nurse is assessing for which finding in a patient with

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

a. Hyperresonance b. Tripod positioning c. Accessory muscle use d. Reduced chest expansion ANS: D

The technique for palpation for chest expansion is shown in the illustrated technique....