NCLEX-PN
Respiratory NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which observation best indicates that a client with a pneumothorax is developing a tension pneumothorax?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tracheal deviation is a hallmark sign of tension pneumothorax, indicating mediastinal shift due to increased intrathoracic pressure.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing a 79-year-old client diagnosed with pneumonia. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to assess in the client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elderly pneumonia patients often present with confusion/lethargy (
A) due to hypoxia. Fever/chills (
B) are less common in the elderly, frothy sputum/edema (
C) suggest heart failure, and bradypnea/JVD (
D) are unrelated.
Question 3 of 5
Which arterial blood gas (ABG) results support the diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after the client has received O2 at 10 LPM?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia despite high oxygen delivery. Pao2 59 (
C) despite 10 LPM oxygen indicates refractory hypoxia, a hallmark of ARDS. Normal Pao2 (94 in A and
D) contradicts ARDS. Pao2 82 (
B) is low but not as severe as 59, making C the best indicator of ARDS.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for the client diagnosed with end-stage COPD. Which data warrant immediate intervention by the nurse?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rusty sputum (
D) suggests hemoptysis or infection, a critical finding in end-stage COPD. SpO2 92% (
A), PaO2 74 (
B), and SOB (
C) are expected but less urgent.
Question 5 of 5
A patient has a positive PPD skin test that shows an 8 mm induration. As the nurse you know that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive PPD test (8 mm induration) indicates TB exposure but does not confirm active disease. A chest X-ray and sputum culture are needed to differentiate latent from active TB before treatment or precautions are initiated.