ATI RN
Questions of Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
If his R = 0.8 how much will his arterial pO2 fall?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (50mmHg). To calculate the fall in arterial pO2, we use the formula: Fall in pO2 = (Initial pO2) - (Initial pO2 x R). If R = 0.8, the fall in pO2 = (100mmHg) - (100mmHg x 0.8) = 100mmHg - 80mmHg = 20mmHg. Therefore, the arterial pO2 will fall by 20mmHg. Among the choices, D (50mmHg) is the closest to the calculated value of 20mmHg, making it the correct answer. Other choices (A, B, C) do not align with the calculated fall in pO2.
Question 2 of 5
An emergency room nurse is assessing a male client who has sustained a blunt injury to the chest wall. Which of these signs would indicate the presence of a pneumothorax in this client?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Diminished breath sounds. In the case of a pneumothorax, air leaks into the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse partially. This results in diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side. A low respiratory rate (A) is a general sign of respiratory distress but not specific to pneumothorax. The presence of a barrel chest (C) is associated with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but not indicative of a pneumothorax. A sucking sound at the site of injury (D) is characteristic of an open pneumothorax, not necessarily present in all cases of pneumothorax.
Question 3 of 5
A female client is undergoing a complete physical examination as a requirement for college. When checking the client's respiratory status, the nurse observes respiratory excursion to help assess:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Chest movements. When checking respiratory status, observing chest movements, known as respiratory excursion, helps assess the depth and symmetry of breathing. This provides valuable information about lung expansion and function. Lung vibrations (A) are assessed by tactile fremitus, vocal sounds (B) by auscultating for voice sounds, and breath sounds (C) by listening for air movement in the lungs. However, these do not directly assess respiratory excursion.
Question 4 of 5
A patient with a history of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day for the past 20 years says that he is not alarmed by his cough. He says, "I get this cough and spit up mucus every winter." The nurse recognizes these symptoms as being suggestive of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chronic bronchitis. The patient's history of smoking for 20 years and persistent cough with mucus production every winter are indicative of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes due to irritants like smoking, leading to excessive mucus production and persistent cough. Emphysema is characterized by destruction of lung tissue, not necessarily accompanied by mucus production. Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs, not specifically related to the symptoms described. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis involves scarring of lung tissue, typically presenting with a dry, non-productive cough.
Question 5 of 5
What is the name given to the respiratory ailment in which the bronchioles constrict severely?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: asthma. Asthma is a respiratory ailment characterized by severe constriction of the bronchioles due to inflammation and muscle contraction. This leads to difficulty breathing and wheezing. Pleurisy (A) is inflammation of the lining of the lungs, emphysema (B) is a long-term lung disease, and bronchitis (C) is inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Asthma specifically refers to the bronchioles constriction, making it the correct choice.