ATI RN
NCLEX Style Questions on Oxygenation Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client post-lobectomy. What is the most important nursing action to prevent complications?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encouraging frequent use of the incentive spirometer. Post-lobectomy, the risk of atelectasis is high due to decreased lung capacity. Incentive spirometer helps prevent this by promoting deep breathing and lung expansion. Administering analgesics (A) is important, but not the most crucial. Limiting fluid intake (C) is incorrect as hydration is essential post-surgery. Positioning the client on the operative side (D) can hinder lung expansion.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which dietary recommendation is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Eat small, frequent meals to reduce fatigue. For a client with COPD, consuming small, frequent meals helps reduce the energy expenditure required for digestion, thereby reducing fatigue. This approach also prevents overeating, which can lead to increased breathlessness. Option A is incorrect because high-carbohydrate meals may lead to excess energy intake and contribute to weight gain, which can exacerbate COPD symptoms. Option C is incorrect as protein is essential for muscle strength and repair, especially important for individuals with COPD who may experience muscle wasting. Option D is incorrect as there is no direct evidence linking dairy consumption to increased mucus production in individuals with COPD.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy. Which intervention is the priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ensuring a replacement tracheostomy tube is at the bedside. This is the priority because in the event of accidental dislodgement or obstruction of the current tracheostomy tube, a replacement must be readily available to maintain the client's airway. Without a replacement tube, the client could experience severe respiratory distress or even airway obstruction, which could be life-threatening. Cleaning the stoma site every 24 hours (Choice A) is important for hygiene but is not the immediate priority. Suctioning the tracheostomy every 8 hours (Choice C) is a routine maintenance task and should be done as needed based on assessment. Providing humidified oxygen through the tracheostomy (Choice D) is important for maintaining proper oxygenation but ensuring a replacement tube takes precedence to maintain airway patency.
Question 4 of 5
A client with COPD is prescribed a short-acting beta-agonist. What is the expected effect of this medication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Immediate relief of bronchospasm. Short-acting beta-agonists like albuterol act quickly to dilate the airways, providing immediate relief of bronchospasm in COPD by relaxing the smooth muscles in the lungs. This effect helps improve airflow and alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing. Reduction in mucus production (choice A) is typically targeted by medications like mucolytics, not beta-agonists. Prevention of airway inflammation (choice C) is usually achieved with corticosteroids. Increased oxygen absorption in the lungs (choice D) is not a direct effect of short-acting beta-agonists.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which intervention is most effective in improving oxygenation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Positioning the client in the prone position. Placing the client in the prone position can improve oxygenation by optimizing ventilation-perfusion matching and reducing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. This position helps to redistribute lung perfusion and improve ventilation in the dependent lung regions. It also helps to prevent atelectasis and promote better gas exchange. Administering high-flow oxygen via nasal cannula (A) may not be as effective in severe cases of ARDS. Performing frequent oral suctioning (C) can potentially worsen oxygenation by causing hypoxemia due to suction-induced atelectrauma. Increasing the respiratory rate on the ventilator (D) without addressing the underlying lung injury may not effectively improve oxygenation and can lead to further lung damage.