ATI RN
Practice Questions for Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client with acute asthma showing inspiratory and expiratory wheezes and a decreased forced expiratory volume should be treated with which of the following classes of medication right away?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bronchodilators. In acute asthma, bronchodilators are the first-line treatment to quickly relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow. Inspiratory and expiratory wheezes indicate airway obstruction, and decreased forced expiratory volume suggests reduced airflow. Beta-adrenergic blockers (A) can worsen asthma symptoms by blocking beta-2 receptors, leading to bronchoconstriction. Inhaled steroids (C) are used for long-term asthma control and not for acute exacerbations. Oral steroids (D) are typically used in severe asthma exacerbations requiring systemic anti-inflammatory effects and are not the immediate first-line treatment for acute asthma.
Question 2 of 5
Smoking has been shown to cause
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Smoking causes bronchitis due to inflammation of bronchial tubes, emphysema by damaging air sacs in lungs, and lung cancer from carcinogens. Therefore, "D: all of the above" is correct as smoking leads to all these respiratory health issues. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as smoking is linked to all three conditions.
Question 3 of 5
Asphyxia occurs due to
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rise in level of CO2. Asphyxia occurs when there is a buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body, leading to a lack of oxygen supply to tissues. When CO2 levels rise, it can displace oxygen in the bloodstream, causing respiratory distress and potential suffocation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because a fall in CO2 levels, a rise in O2 levels, or a fall in O2 levels do not directly cause asphyxia. This highlights the importance of understanding the physiological processes involved in respiration to identify the correct answer.
Question 4 of 5
The function of tracheal cilia is to
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pass mucus out. Tracheal cilia help move mucus, which contains dust, debris, and pathogens, out of the respiratory tract to prevent infections and maintain clear airways. This process is known as mucociliary clearance. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because tracheal cilia do not pass mucus in, pass air out, or pass air in. Tracheal cilia specifically function to clear mucus out of the respiratory tract.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse observes that a client's anteroposterior (AP) chest diameter is the same as the lateral chest diameter. Which question would the nurse ask the client in response to this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Do you have any chronic breathing problems? This question is appropriate because equal AP and lateral chest diameters could indicate barrel chest, which is often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic breathing problems. Asking about chronic breathing problems can help the nurse further assess the client's respiratory health. Incorrect answers: A: Are you taking any medications or herbal supplements? This question is not directly related to the observed chest diameter findings. C: How often do you perform aerobic exercise? This question is not relevant to the physical assessment findings and does not address the potential respiratory issue. D: What is your occupation and what are your hobbies? This question does not directly address the equal AP and lateral chest diameters and does not help in assessing the respiratory status of the client.