The nurse is caring for a patient who has returned to the unit following a bronchoscopy. The patient is asking for something to drink. Which criterion will determine when the nurse should allow the patient to drink fluids?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, presence of a cough and gag reflex. After a bronchoscopy, it is crucial for the nurse to ensure the patient has a cough and gag reflex before allowing them to drink fluids to prevent aspiration. Cough reflex helps clear secretions, and gag reflex prevents fluids from entering the airway. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the safety of the patient's ability to swallow post-bronchoscopy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bronchioles. Bronchioles are the smallest airways in the lungs and play a crucial role in determining pulmonary resistance. They have smooth muscle surrounding them, which can contract or relax to regulate airflow and resistance. Constriction of bronchioles increases resistance, while dilation decreases it. Visceral and parietal pleura (A) are membranes that cover the lungs and chest wall, not directly involved in determining pulmonary resistance. The trachea (B) and bronchi (C) are larger airways that mainly serve as conduits for air passage and do not have as significant an impact on resistance as the bronchioles do.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because as the SCUBA diver rises too fast, the pressure decreases rapidly. This causes the nitrogen gas that was dissolved in the blood at high pressure to form bubbles, leading to decompression sickness. Choice A is incorrect because carbon dioxide rushing into cells is not the cause of decompression sickness. Choice B is incorrect because it refers to carbon dioxide forming bubbles in the blood, which is not the mechanism of decompression sickness. Choice D is incorrect because it focuses on excess air from the SCUBA tank entering the blood, which is not the primary reason for decompression sickness.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Understand the term - Hypercapnia means increased levels of CO2 in the blood. Step 2: Elevated PCO2 directly relates to increased CO2 levels. Step 3: This condition can lead to respiratory issues due to excess CO2. Step 4: Therefore, choice B, elevated PCO2, is the correct answer. Summary: Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as hypercapnia specifically refers to increased CO2 levels, not the cessation of breathing, elevated PO2, or an increase in pH.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: Identifying lobes - The right lung has 3 lobes (upper, middle, lower) while the left lung has 2 lobes (upper, lower). Step 2: Cardiac notch - The cardiac notch is a concave space on the left lung where the heart lies. Therefore, the left lung has a cardiac notch. Step 3: Correct choice - Option D states that the right lung has 3 lobes, the left lung has 2 lobes, and the left lung has a cardiac notch, which aligns with the anatomical features of the lungs. Step 4: Incorrect choices - Choices A, B, and C have incorrect combinations of lobes and the presence of a cardiac notch, making them incorrect.