ATI RN
NCLEX Questions on Oxygenation and Perfusion Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse observes that a patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 89%. What is the priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Oxygen saturation of 89% indicates hypoxemia, which can be life-threatening. Step 2: Administering oxygen therapy will help improve oxygenation levels. Step 3: Priority is to address hypoxemia to prevent complications. Step 4: Chest physiotherapy, deep breathing exercises, and sputum sample are not immediate priorities for hypoxemia. Administering oxygen is crucial to address the primary issue.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism. What is the first action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Apply oxygen via nasal cannula. This is the first action because in a suspected pulmonary embolism, the priority is to optimize oxygenation to prevent hypoxia. Oxygen therapy helps improve oxygen saturation and tissue perfusion. Administering a bronchodilator (Choice A) would not address the primary issue of oxygenation. Preparing for a chest x-ray (Choice C) may be necessary but not the initial action. Initiating IV fluids (Choice D) may be needed later but does not directly address the immediate concern of oxygenation in a suspected pulmonary embolism.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse observes an air leak in the chest tube system. What is the appropriate action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action is to check the system for loose connections (Choice C). First, ensure that all connections are secure to prevent further air leakage. Clamping the chest tube (Choice A) can create tension leading to more air leaks. Repositioning the chest tube (Choice B) may not address the underlying issue of loose connections. Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice D) is important but addressing the immediate concern of loose connections should be the initial action to prevent complications.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse reviews discharge instructions for a patient with newly diagnosed COPD. Which statement by the patient indicates effective teaching?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because eating smaller meals helps prevent feeling too full, which can worsen breathing difficulties in COPD patients. Step 1: COPD patients often experience shortness of breath, especially when the stomach is full. Step 2: Eating smaller meals can help reduce the pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, making breathing easier. Step 3: This demonstrates the patient's understanding of how diet can impact their respiratory symptoms. Incorrect choices: A: Avoiding physical activity can lead to physical deconditioning, worsening COPD symptoms. C: Using a rescue inhaler before meals is not a standard practice for COPD management. D: Increasing oxygen flow rate without medical guidance can be dangerous and ineffective in managing COPD.
Question 5 of 5
A patient with asthma is prescribed salmeterol. What is the nurse's priority teaching point?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist that needs to be taken regularly, twice a day, to control asthma symptoms effectively. This teaching point is crucial for the patient to understand the importance of adherence to the medication regimen. Choice A is incorrect because salmeterol is not a rescue inhaler for immediate relief during an asthma attack. Choice C is incorrect as salmeterol does not require shaking before use. Choice D is incorrect because rinsing the mouth after inhaling is typically advised for corticosteroid inhalers to prevent oral thrush, not for salmeterol.