ATI RN
Questions for the Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Pain with chronic stable angina is due to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because chronic stable angina is caused by insufficient blood flow due to narrowing of the coronary arteries, leading to inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle during exertion. This results in chest pain. A is incorrect as there is no rubbing of epicardium against the pericardial sac in chronic stable angina. C is incorrect as the pain is not due to irritation of cardiac nerve endings in the chest wall. D is incorrect as dilation of the coronary arteries does not cause pain in chronic stable angina; it is actually a compensatory mechanism to increase blood flow in response to decreased oxygen supply.
Question 2 of 5
This blood gas picture reveals which of the following? PH = 7.52 pCO2 = 20 mmHg pO2 = 120 mmHg bicarb = 16 mmol/l
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The blood gas values indicate respiratory alkalosis due to a high pH (7.52) and low pCO2 (20 mmHg). The normal pO2 and low bicarb suggest partial renal compensation. The kidneys retain HCO3- to partially offset the respiratory alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis (A) is incorrect as bicarb is low. Metabolic acidosis (C) is incorrect due to the high pH. Respiratory acidosis (D) is incorrect as pCO2 is low. In summary, the correct answer is B as it aligns with the blood gas values and the concept of compensation.
Question 3 of 5
A female patient suffers acute respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of shock. The patient's condition deteriorates rapidly, and endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are initiated. When the high-pressure alarm on the mechanical ventilator, alarm sounds, the nurse starts to check for the cause. Which condition triggers the high-pressure alarm?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kinking of the ventilator tubing. This condition can cause a blockage in the airflow, leading to increased pressure in the ventilator circuit, triggering the high-pressure alarm. Kinking restricts the flow of air, causing a buildup of pressure in the system. This situation can lead to inadequate ventilation and potential harm to the patient. Choice B, a disconnected ventilator tube, would trigger a low-pressure alarm rather than a high-pressure alarm because the disconnection would result in a loss of pressure. Choice C, an endotracheal cuff leak, would not directly cause an increase in pressure within the ventilator circuit. Choice D, a change in oxygen concentration without resetting the alarm, would not trigger the high-pressure alarm but rather an oxygen alarm if the concentration falls outside the set range. In summary, kinking of the ventilator tubing is the correct answer as it directly leads to increased pressure in the ventilator circuit, triggering the high-pressure alarm.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a male client with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Which of the following would the nurse expect to note in the client?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Low arterial PaO2. In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there is inadequate oxygen exchange in the lungs, leading to low PaO2 levels. This is due to alveolar damage and decreased lung compliance. Pallor (choice A) is not a specific finding in ARDS. Elevated arterial PaO2 (choice C) is not expected in ARDS as it indicates sufficient oxygenation. Decreased respiratory rate (choice D) is not a typical finding in ARDS, as patients often have an increased respiratory rate to compensate for the poor oxygenation.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse performs an admission assessment on a client with a diagnosis of tuberculosis. The nurse reviews the results of which diagnostic test that will confirm this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sputum culture. This test confirms the diagnosis of tuberculosis by identifying the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the sputum sample. It is the gold standard for diagnosing active tuberculosis. Bronchoscopy (A) is invasive and used to visualize the airways, not for confirming TB diagnosis. Chest x-ray (C) may show characteristic findings of TB, but it does not confirm the diagnosis. Tuberculin skin test (D) only indicates exposure to TB bacteria, not active infection.