The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes that the patient has an increased work of breathing. What is the priority action?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen as prescribed. When a patient has an increased work of breathing, providing oxygen helps improve oxygenation and reduces the respiratory effort. It is the priority action to address potential hypoxia. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (A) may worsen the situation by increasing respiratory effort. Chest physiotherapy (C) is not indicated as the primary intervention for increased work of breathing. Providing a bronchodilator treatment (D) may be beneficial but addressing oxygenation is the priority.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Proprioception and balance. Standing on one leg with eyes closed tests proprioception, the body's awareness of its position in space, and balance, the ability to maintain an upright posture. This task primarily involves sensory input from the lower extremities and integration in the brain. B: Cerebellar function primarily involves coordination and fine motor control, not specifically tested by standing on one leg with eyes closed. C: Cranial nerve function typically assesses functions such as vision, facial sensation, and muscle movement, not directly tested by this task. D: Coordination involves the integration of motor skills, which are not the primary focus of standing on one leg with eyes closed.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Asthma exacerbation. The patient's symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and history of asthma point towards an asthma exacerbation. Wheezing and use of accessory muscles are classic signs of an asthma attack. Pneumonia (A) would typically present with fever and productive cough. Pulmonary embolism (C) commonly presents with sudden onset dyspnea and chest pain. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (D) would typically have a history of smoking and chronic cough. In this case, the patient's history of asthma and current symptoms make asthma exacerbation the most likely diagnosis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Coordination and balance. When the nurse asks the patient to touch their nose with their finger, they are assessing the patient's ability to perform a coordinated movement accurately. This test specifically evaluates the patient's coordination and balance, as it involves the integration of sensory input and motor output. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in coordinating movements, making option A partially correct but not as specific as option D. Cranial nerve function (option B) is not directly assessed with this task. Proprioception (option C) refers to the awareness of the position and movement of the body, which is important for coordination but not the primary focus of this test.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Asthma. Wheezing during exhalation is a common characteristic of asthma due to airway constriction. In asthma, the airways become inflamed and narrowed, leading to difficulty in breathing and wheezing sounds during exhalation. Asthma is a chronic condition that can be triggered by various factors such as allergens or exercise. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: Pulmonary fibrosis - Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by scarring of lung tissue, leading to stiff and less flexible lungs. It typically presents with crackles on auscultation, not wheezing. C: Pneumonia - Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue, usually presenting with crackles or decreased breath sounds, not typically wheezing. D: Pulmonary embolism - Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, often causing sudden shortness of breath and chest pain, but not typically associated with whe