Nurse Maureen has assisted a physician with the insertion of a chest tube. The nurse monitors the client and notes fluctuation of the fluid level in the water seal chamber after the tube is inserted. Based on this assessment, which action would be appropriate?

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NCLEX RN Questions on Respiratory System Questions

Question 1 of 5

Nurse Maureen has assisted a physician with the insertion of a chest tube. The nurse monitors the client and notes fluctuation of the fluid level in the water seal chamber after the tube is inserted. Based on this assessment, which action would be appropriate?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Continue to monitor the client. Fluctuation of fluid level in the water seal chamber post chest tube insertion indicates proper functioning of the chest tube system. This signifies that the tube is effectively draining fluid or air from the pleural space. It is essential to continue monitoring the client to ensure ongoing proper functioning of the chest tube. Informing the physician (Choice A) is not necessary at this point unless there are other concerning symptoms. Reinforcing the occlusive dressing (Choice C) is not indicated unless there is a leak or issue with the dressing. Encouraging the client to deep breathe (Choice D) is unrelated to the assessment of the chest tube system.

Question 2 of 5

The nurse assesses wheezes in a patient with asthma and realizes that these breath sounds result from:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because wheezes in asthma are caused by the movement of air through narrowed airways due to bronchoconstriction and inflammation. This narrowing leads to turbulent airflow, resulting in the characteristic high-pitched musical sound of wheezes. Increased thickness of respiratory secretions (A) may cause crackles, not wheezes. Use of accessory muscles (B) indicates respiratory distress but does not directly cause wheezes. Tachypnea and tachycardia (C) are common in asthma but do not directly cause wheezes. Thus, D is the most directly related to the pathophysiology of wheezes in asthma.

Question 3 of 5

The most common preventive drug therapy for tuberculosis is:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Isoniazid. Isoniazid is the most common preventive drug therapy for tuberculosis due to its effectiveness in treating latent TB infections. It works by killing the bacteria that cause TB. Prednisone is a steroid and not used as a preventive therapy for TB. Gamma globulin is used for immune deficiency disorders, not TB prevention. Aminophylline is a bronchodilator used for asthma, not TB prevention. In summary, isoniazid is the preferred choice for TB prevention due to its specific antimycobacterial action, while the other options are unrelated or ineffective for this purpose.

Question 4 of 5

Which of the following is NOT found in lung tissue?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: muscle. Lung tissue does not contain muscle tissue; instead, it is primarily composed of alveolar sacs for gas exchange, blood capillaries for oxygen exchange, and interstitial fluid for support. Muscles are not part of the structure of the lungs as they are not involved in the respiratory process. In summary, muscles are not found in lung tissue, making option D the correct choice.

Question 5 of 5

When the diaphragm and external intercostals muscles contract, which of the following actions does NOT occur?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When the diaphragm and external intercostals contract, the thoracic cavity expands, causing the lungs to expand and the intrapulmonary pressure to decrease (choice D). This decrease in pressure allows air to flow into the lungs (choice A). The diaphragm moves inferiorly during contraction, not superiorly (choice C). The intrapleural pressure actually decreases when these muscles contract, not increases, due to increased thoracic volume and decreased intrapleural pressure acting as a suction to keep the lungs inflated (choice B). Therefore, the correct answer is B, as the intrapleural pressure actually decreases when the diaphragm and external intercostals contract.

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