ATI RN
Questions for Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has a tracheostomy. The nurse notes that the tracheostomy tube is pulsing with the heartbeat as the client's pulse is being taken. No other abnormal findings are noted. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. 1. Pulsation of the tracheostomy tube with the heartbeat indicates a possible vascular anomaly or the tube being in contact with a major vessel. 2. Staying with the client ensures immediate monitoring and intervention if needed. 3. Having someone else call the primary health care provider promptly allows for timely assessment and intervention. 4. Options A, B, and C are incorrect. Option A is premature without assessing the client further. Option B is incorrect as pulsation is not a normal finding in tracheostomy tubes. Option C is unsafe and can lead to airway compromise.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following neurological controls of ventilation responds to changes in the pH and levels of oxygen and CO2 in the blood?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Central chemoreceptors in the medulla are highly sensitive to changes in pH and CO2 levels, influencing respiratory rate and depth. B is incorrect because peripheral chemoreceptors respond mainly to O2 levels. C refers to general respiratory control centers, not specific chemoreceptor function. D is incorrect as the spinal cord lacks central chemoreceptors.
Question 3 of 5
You are evaluating and assessing a client diagnosed with chronic emphysema. The client is on oxygen at a flow rate of 5 L/min by nasal cannula. Which finding concerns you immediately?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute is abnormally low and indicates potential hypoventilation or respiratory depression, which is concerning in a client with chronic emphysema. Fine crackles (A) and barrel chest (D) are common findings but not immediately alarming. Sitting up and leaning forward (C) is a compensatory mechanism for easier breathing.
Question 4 of 5
A 25-year-old nonsmoker who is normally in good health reports having a bad cough for the past 3 weeks. He has crackles and rhonchi, and shows the physician a small clear plastic container that has discolored, blood-tinged sputum that he produced this morning. What would the physician want to rule out?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (Pneumonia). The symptoms described—persistent cough, crackles, rhonchi, and blood-tinged sputum—are indicative of pneumonia. Lung cancer (A) is less likely in a young nonsmoker. The flu (B) typically does not cause blood-tinged sputum. Asthma (D) does not usually present with these specific findings.
Question 5 of 5
To determine whether a tension pneumothorax is developing in a patient with chest trauma, for what does the nurse assess the patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.