ATI RN
Practice Questions for Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Nurse Ruth assessing a patient for tracheal displacement should know that the trachea will deviate toward the:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Contralateral side in hemothorax. In a hemothorax, blood collects in the pleural cavity on one side of the chest, causing a mass effect that displaces the trachea away from the affected side towards the opposite side. This occurs due to the pressure created by the accumulated blood pushing the trachea away. In the other choices, tracheal deviation would occur towards the affected side rather than away from it. For example, in a tension pneumothorax (Choice C), air accumulates under pressure in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse and pushing the trachea towards the affected side. Similarly, in a simple pneumothorax (Choice A), where there is air in the pleural space but not under pressure, the trachea may deviate towards the affected side. In a hemothorax (Choice B), the trachea would not deviate towards the affected side as
Question 2 of 5
A long-term COPD client is receiving oxygen at 1 L/minute. Her visiting cousin decides she "doesn't look too good" and increases her oxygen to 7 L/minute. What should the nurse's initial action be?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Immediately decrease the oxygen. Increasing oxygen without physician's order can lead to oxygen toxicity in COPD patients. Step-by-step rationale: 1. Assess the client's condition. 2. Determine the client's baseline oxygen therapy. 3. Recognize that sudden increase in oxygen can suppress the respiratory drive in COPD patients. 4. Decrease oxygen to the prescribed level. Summary: A: Inadequate response, as oxygen adjustment is necessary. C: Not immediate action, physician notification can follow. D: Pertinent to assess, but not the initial action needed in this scenario.
Question 3 of 5
A client with acute asthma showing inspiratory and expiratory wheezes and a decreased forced expiratory volume should be treated with which of the following classes of medication right away?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bronchodilators. In acute asthma, bronchodilators are the first-line treatment to quickly relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow. Inspiratory and expiratory wheezes indicate airway obstruction, and decreased forced expiratory volume suggests reduced airflow. Beta-adrenergic blockers (A) can worsen asthma symptoms by blocking beta-2 receptors, leading to bronchoconstriction. Inhaled steroids (C) are used for long-term asthma control and not for acute exacerbations. Oral steroids (D) are typically used in severe asthma exacerbations requiring systemic anti-inflammatory effects and are not the immediate first-line treatment for acute asthma.
Question 4 of 5
Which vertebrate body system is most closely associated functionally with respiration?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: circulatory system. This system is most closely associated with respiration as it transports oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and removes carbon dioxide. The circulatory system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The other choices (A: urinary, B: digestive, C: endocrine) are not directly involved in the process of respiration and do not play a significant role in the exchange of gases in the body.
Question 5 of 5
Smoking has been shown to cause
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Smoking causes bronchitis due to inflammation of bronchial tubes, emphysema by damaging air sacs in lungs, and lung cancer from carcinogens. Therefore, "D: all of the above" is correct as smoking leads to all these respiratory health issues. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as smoking is linked to all three conditions.