ATI RN
Questions for the Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing the patient with influenza. The patient reports having general malaise and aching muscles over the past 2 weeks. The nurse suspects that the patient may have developed which complication of influenza?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bacterial pneumonia. Influenza can weaken the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia. Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia, such as persistent cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, align with the patient's reported general malaise and muscle aches. Bronchitis (A) is a common complication of influenza but is usually characterized by cough with or without phlegm. Urinary infection (C) and encephalitis (D) are less likely in this scenario as the patient's symptoms are more indicative of a respiratory complication.
Question 2 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 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube that is attached to low suction. The nurse monitors the client knowing that the client is at risk for which acid-base disorder?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Metabolic alkalosis. Low suction can lead to excessive loss of gastric acid, causing metabolic alkalosis due to an increase in bicarbonate levels. This is because the body compensates for the loss of acid by retaining bicarbonate. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because low suction does not directly affect metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, or respiratory acidosis.
Question 4 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 5 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.