ATI RN
Questions for the Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse assessing the CBC of a patient with chronic bronchitis identifies a typical feature of this disease, which is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Increased red blood cells. In chronic bronchitis, the body compensates for chronic hypoxia by increasing red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) to improve oxygen delivery. This is known as polycythemia. Decreased platelets (A) and white blood cells (B) are not typical features of chronic bronchitis. Increased eosinophils (C) are more commonly associated with allergic conditions or parasitic infections, not chronic bronchitis. In summary, the increased red blood cells in chronic bronchitis help enhance oxygen-carrying capacity, distinguishing it from the other options.