ATI RN
NCLEX RN Questions on Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The organs of the respiratory zone of the respiratory system include all the following EXCEPT:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: trachea. The trachea is not part of the respiratory zone, which is where gas exchange occurs. The respiratory zone includes the small bronchioles, alveoli ducts, and alveoli. The trachea is part of the conducting zone, which is responsible for transporting air to and from the respiratory zone. Therefore, the trachea is not directly involved in gas exchange, making it the correct answer. The other choices, B: small bronchioles, C: alveoli ducts, and D: alveoli, are all part of the respiratory zone and play a crucial role in gas exchange.
Question 2 of 5
A female adult client has a tracheostomy but doesn't require continuous mechanical ventilation. When weaning the client from the tracheostomy tube, the nurse initially should plug the opening in the tube for:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 5 to 20 minutes. Plugging the tracheostomy tube for this duration allows the client to gradually adapt to breathing without the assistance of the tube. Initially, the client may experience increased respiratory effort, which helps improve lung function. Plugging the tube for too short a time (A) may not provide enough challenge for the client, while plugging it for too long (C, D) may cause distress or potential complications due to lack of oxygen. Therefore, the optimal time frame of 5 to 20 minutes ensures a safe and effective weaning process for the client.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse assesses wheezes in a patient with asthma and realizes that these breath sounds result from:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because wheezes in asthma are caused by the movement of air through narrowed airways due to bronchoconstriction and inflammation. This narrowing leads to turbulent airflow, resulting in the characteristic high-pitched musical sound of wheezes. Increased thickness of respiratory secretions (A) may cause crackles, not wheezes. Use of accessory muscles (B) indicates respiratory distress but does not directly cause wheezes. Tachypnea and tachycardia (C) are common in asthma but do not directly cause wheezes. Thus, D is the most directly related to the pathophysiology of wheezes in asthma.
Question 4 of 5
The most common preventive drug therapy for tuberculosis is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Isoniazid. Isoniazid is the most common preventive drug therapy for tuberculosis due to its effectiveness in treating latent TB infections. It works by killing the bacteria that cause TB. Prednisone is a steroid and not used as a preventive therapy for TB. Gamma globulin is used for immune deficiency disorders, not TB prevention. Aminophylline is a bronchodilator used for asthma, not TB prevention. In summary, isoniazid is the preferred choice for TB prevention due to its specific antimycobacterial action, while the other options are unrelated or ineffective for this purpose.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following is NOT found in lung tissue?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: muscle. Lung tissue does not contain muscle tissue; instead, it is primarily composed of alveolar sacs for gas exchange, blood capillaries for oxygen exchange, and interstitial fluid for support. Muscles are not part of the structure of the lungs as they are not involved in the respiratory process. In summary, muscles are not found in lung tissue, making option D the correct choice.