A patient with a decreased level of consciousness is in a recumbent position. How should the nurse best assess the lung fields for a patient in this position?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because turning the patient to enable assessment of all the lung fields is the best approach to assess lung sounds comprehensively. By turning the patient, the nurse can listen to breath sounds on both the anterior and posterior chest walls, ensuring a thorough assessment. Option A is incorrect as it assumes the need for a chest x-ray without first performing a physical assessment. Option C is incorrect as it limits assessment to only the anterior chest wall, potentially missing abnormalities in the posterior lung fields. Option D is incorrect as obtaining a pulse oximetry reading and repositioning the patient should not replace the need for a physical assessment of lung sounds.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: decreased amounts of BPG. BPG binds to hemoglobin, reducing its affinity for oxygen. Without BPG, hemoglobin holds onto oxygen tightly, decreasing its release to tissues. Increased temperature (choice A) and decreased pH (choice B) actually enhance oxygen release by hemoglobin through the Bohr effect. Decreased tissue PO2 (choice C) triggers hemoglobin to release more oxygen due to the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the chloride shift occurs to transport bicarbonate ions into the blood plasma. This process helps maintain acid-base balance in the body by exchanging chloride ions for bicarbonate ions to regulate pH levels. Choice A is incorrect as the chloride shift is not related to forcing oxygen into tissues. Choice C is incorrect as the chloride shift does not produce salt for the cytosol of blood cells. Choice D is incorrect as the chloride shift does not directly produce carbonic acid but rather helps in maintaining the balance of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: apneustic. Stimulation of the apneustic center in the brainstem prolongs inspiration by sending signals to the respiratory muscles to maintain inspiration. The apneustic center plays a role in regulating the depth and duration of breathing. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: Pneumotaxic center helps regulate the respiratory rate by inhibiting inspiration, not prolonging it. C: Expiratory center is responsible for controlling expiration, not inspiration. D: Baroreceptor center is involved in regulating blood pressure, not respiratory functions.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: alveoli. The conducting zone of the respiratory system includes structures that transport air to and from the gas exchange sites. Alveoli are the primary sites of gas exchange, not part of the conducting zone. Pharynx (A), nasal cavity (B), and bronchi (D) are all part of the conducting zone as they help in air transportation but do not directly participate in gas exchange like alveoli do. Therefore, alveoli is the correct answer as it does not belong to the conducting zone.