ATI RN
NCLEX Style Questions on Oxygenation Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse assesses a patient with COPD who reports increased shortness of breath. What should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct Answer: D. Check the patient's oxygen saturation. Rationale: 1. Check oxygen saturation first to assess patient's oxygen levels. 2. Low oxygen saturation can indicate respiratory distress in COPD. 3. This information guides subsequent interventions. 4. Other choices address symptom management but do not address the immediate need for oxygen assessment.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse assesses a patient with pneumonia and notes confusion. What is the most likely cause?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoxemia. Confusion in a patient with pneumonia is most likely due to lack of oxygen reaching the brain, which is caused by hypoxemia. When the lungs are infected, they are less able to oxygenate the blood, leading to hypoxemia. High fever (A) may cause delirium but is not the primary reason for confusion in pneumonia. Dehydration (C) can lead to confusion but is less likely in a patient with pneumonia. Sepsis (D) can cause confusion but is usually associated with other symptoms like low blood pressure and organ dysfunction.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected tuberculosis. What is the priority diagnostic test?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sputum culture. The priority diagnostic test for suspected tuberculosis is sputum culture because it directly identifies the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This test helps confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment. Chest x-ray (A) is important but may not definitively diagnose TB. Mantoux test (C) checks for exposure but not active infection. Complete blood count (D) can show signs of infection but does not confirm TB.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with newly diagnosed pulmonary embolism (PE). What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a patient with newly diagnosed pulmonary embolism (PE) is to administer prescribed anticoagulants (Choice A). This is because anticoagulants help to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of complications such as worsening of the PE or development of additional blood clots. Administering anticoagulants promptly is crucial in managing PE and improving outcomes for the patient. Positioning the patient supine and applying oxygen (Choice B) may be important, but it is not the priority over administering anticoagulants. Preparing for chest x-ray and CT scan (Choice C) and starting IV fluids (Choice D) are important assessments and interventions but are not the priority in the immediate management of PE.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient after a thoracentesis. Which finding requires immediate attention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Oxygen saturation of 88%. A low oxygen saturation level of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate attention to prevent complications like organ damage or respiratory failure. A: Mild discomfort at the puncture site is expected after a thoracentesis and can be managed with pain relief measures. C: Removing 300 mL of pleural fluid is a normal part of the procedure and does not require immediate attention unless signs of complications arise. D: A respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute is within the normal range, so it does not require immediate attention. In summary, a low oxygen saturation level is the most critical finding that needs prompt intervention compared to the other choices.