ATI RN
Oxygenation NCLEX Questions with Rationale Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is scheduled for pulmonary function tests. Which action should the nurse take to prepare the patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Instruct the patient to refrain from smoking for 6 hours before testing. Rationale: 1. Smoking can affect lung function, so refraining from smoking before pulmonary function tests helps obtain accurate results. 2. Smoking can lead to airway constriction, affecting test outcomes. 3. The 6-hour timeframe allows for a sufficient period for the effects of smoking to diminish. 4. Not smoking before testing ensures that the test results reflect the patient's true lung function. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect because using bronchodilators before the test may alter the test results. - Choice C is incorrect as fasting is not necessary for pulmonary function tests. - Choice D is incorrect as incentive spirometry is not typically performed before pulmonary function tests.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88%. What should the nurse do next?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because maintaining oxygen saturation above 90% is essential for patients with COPD to prevent further respiratory complications. Oxygen therapy helps improve oxygen levels in the blood, reducing the workload on the heart and improving overall oxygen delivery to tissues. Administering oxygen is the immediate intervention needed to improve the patient's oxygen saturation. Option B is incorrect as deep breathing exercises alone may not be sufficient to increase oxygen levels in the blood significantly. Option C is incorrect because notifying the healthcare provider is not the immediate action needed to address the low oxygen saturation. Option D is incorrect as monitoring respiratory rate alone does not address the immediate need to improve oxygen saturation levels.
Question 3 of 5
Which nursing action is most effective in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Performing oral care with chlorhexidine. This action is effective in preventing VAP by reducing the bacterial load in the oral cavity, which can decrease the risk of aspiration of pathogens into the lungs. Chlorhexidine has antimicrobial properties that help to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Regular oral care can help maintain oral hygiene and prevent colonization of pathogens. Choice B, administering antibiotics prophylactically, is not recommended as routine prophylactic use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and disrupt the normal flora, potentially causing more harm than good. Choice C, suctioning the airway every hour, is important for maintaining airway patency but is not the most effective action for preventing VAP. Over-suctioning can irritate the airway and increase the risk of infection. Choice D, keeping the patient sedated at all times, is not a recommended practice as it can lead to complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia. Sedation can impair the
Question 4 of 5
Which finding in a patient with pneumonia requires immediate action by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because an oxygen saturation of 88% indicates severe hypoxemia, requiring immediate intervention to prevent tissue damage. Oxygen therapy is crucial to improve oxygenation. Choice A is not as urgent as hypoxemia. Choice C indicates fluid in the lungs but does not require immediate action. Choice D is within the normal range for respiratory rate.
Question 5 of 5
A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 88%. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen therapy immediately. With an oxygen saturation of 88%, the patient is experiencing hypoxemia, which can lead to tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Administering oxygen therapy is crucial to improve oxygen levels and prevent further complications. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Encouraging deep breathing and coughing may be beneficial, but addressing hypoxemia is the priority. C: Obtaining a sputum culture is important but not immediate in this situation. D: Positioning the patient in high Fowler's position can help with breathing, but addressing the low oxygen saturation is the priority.