ATI RN
Oxygenation NCLEX Questions with Rationale Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with pneumonia is experiencing confusion and restlessness. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because confusion and restlessness in a pneumonia patient may indicate hypoxia. Oxygen saturation should be reassessed as hypoxia can be life-threatening. Providing supplemental oxygen helps improve oxygenation. Administering an antipyretic (A) may help reduce fever but addressing hypoxia is more critical. Increasing fluid intake (C) and positioning the patient (D) are important but addressing hypoxia takes precedence in this scenario.
Question 2 of 5
Mrs. Mercurio has never been a smoker but has had long-term exposure to secondhand smoke. How does secondhand smoke contribute to lung diseases in adults and children?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Secondhand smoke can contribute to lung diseases in adults and children through various mechanisms. Firstly, it can increase mucus production, leading to airway obstruction and difficulty breathing. Secondly, it can cause developmental delays in children due to the harmful effects on their respiratory and overall health. Lastly, it impairs epithelium maturation, affecting the lining of the respiratory tract and making individuals more susceptible to infections and respiratory diseases. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct in explaining how secondhand smoke contributes to lung diseases.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a patient with COPD is to encourage the patient to rest (Choice C). This is because in COPD, the patient often experiences difficulty breathing, leading to increased work of breathing and fatigue. Rest allows the patient to conserve energy, reduce oxygen demand, and prevent exacerbation of symptoms. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (Choice A) may be beneficial for lung expansion but can also increase the work of breathing and lead to fatigue. While fluid intake (Choice B) is important for overall health, it is not the priority in managing acute COPD exacerbation. Using a peak flow meter (Choice D) is more relevant for monitoring asthma rather than COPD. Thus, the correct answer is C as it addresses the immediate need to reduce the patient's respiratory workload and promote recovery.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of stroke. What should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess for signs of hypoglycemia. This is the first step because hypoglycemia can mimic stroke symptoms and must be ruled out before proceeding with any other assessments or interventions. Treating hypoglycemia promptly is crucial to prevent further complications. Assessing the patient's neurological status (choice A) and performing a neurological exam (choice B) can be done after ruling out hypoglycemia. Administering thrombolytic therapy (choice D) is not appropriate without a proper assessment and diagnosis.
Question 5 of 5
A patient is admitted with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What is the priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer a bronchodilator. In an exacerbation of COPD, the priority is to improve airflow by dilating the airways, which bronchodilators accomplish. This intervention helps relieve symptoms and improve oxygenation. Administering IV steroids (B) may be beneficial in severe cases, but bronchodilators are the initial priority. Monitoring blood pressure (C) is important but not the priority in this situation. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (D) is generally beneficial for COPD patients but may not be appropriate during an exacerbation when the focus is on immediate symptom relief.