ATI RN
NCLEX Style Questions on Oxygenation Questions
Question 1 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.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with pneumonia has coarse crackles and thick sputum. Which action should the nurse plan to promote airway clearance?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assist the patient to splint the chest when coughing. This action helps stabilize the chest wall, allowing better force generation during coughing to assist in clearing the airways. Restricting oral fluids (A) would not promote airway clearance. Teaching pursed-lip breathing (B) is beneficial for some respiratory conditions but not specifically for clearing thick sputum. Encouraging the patient to wear a nasal O2 cannula (D) is important for oxygenation but does not directly aid in airway clearance.
Question 3 of 5
Which teaching should the nurse include for a patient prescribed a dry powder inhaler (DPI)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hold the breath for 10 seconds after inhalation. This instruction is important for ensuring proper medication delivery to the lungs. Holding the breath allows the medication to reach deeper into the lungs. Option A is incorrect because DPIs should not be shaken. Option B is incorrect as exhaling into the inhaler can lead to contamination. Option D is incorrect because rinsing the mouth is typically advised for using corticosteroid inhalers, not DPIs. Holding the breath is crucial for optimal drug deposition in the lungs.
Question 4 of 5
Which finding in a patient with pneumonia should the nurse report immediately?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because an oxygen saturation of 87% indicates severe hypoxemia, requiring immediate intervention to prevent complications like respiratory failure. Greenish sputum (B) suggests a possible bacterial infection but doesn't require immediate action. Fever (C) and a respiratory rate within normal range (D) are common findings in pneumonia and can be managed appropriately without immediate concern.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse evaluates a patient post-thoracentesis. Which finding requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. An oxygen saturation of 89% on room air indicates hypoxemia, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. This finding suggests inadequate oxygenation and potential respiratory distress. Choice A is within the normal range for respiratory rate. Choice C is expected after thoracentesis. Choice D, although a large amount of drainage, does not indicate an immediate concern for patient safety. In summary, the critical finding is hypoxemia, which necessitates prompt healthcare provider notification to prevent further complications.