ATI RN
Respiratory System NCLEX Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is heart failure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inability of the heart to pump blood effectively. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to meet the body's needs. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. Explanation: 1. Heart failure is a chronic condition that develops over time due to various factors such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, or heart muscle damage. 2. The inability of the heart to pump blood effectively results in reduced blood flow to the body's organs and tissues. 3. This can lead to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling. 4. A sudden stoppage of the heart (Choice A) would result in cardiac arrest, not heart failure. 5. Accumulation of excess cholesterol in the arteries (Choice C) refers to atherosclerosis, not heart failure. 6. An irregular heartbeat (Choice D) may be a symptom
Question 2 of 5
slit or roughly triangular shape in mediastinal surface are known as
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: hilum. Hilum refers to a slit or roughly triangular shape on the mediastinal surface of an organ where blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics enter or exit. This anatomical feature is commonly seen in organs like the lung, kidney, and spleen. The other choices are incorrect because B: fasciae are layers of connective tissue, C: Fissures are deep grooves or clefts between structures, and D: indentation refers to a shallow recess or notch, which do not specifically describe the slit or triangular shape found at the hilum.
Question 3 of 5
When caring for a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Atypical pneumonia. Patients with AIDS are most susceptible to atypical pneumonia caused by organisms like Pneumocystis jiroveci. This is due to their weakened immune system. Hypostatic pneumonia is typically seen in bedridden patients, not specific to AIDS. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia but not particularly associated with AIDS. Therefore, the correct choice is D, as it aligns with the specific risk profile of AIDS patients for atypical pneumonia.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a hypertensive emergency. Which finding is most important to report to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the inability to move the left arm could indicate a neurological deficit or stroke, which is a critical finding that requires immediate medical attention in a hypertensive emergency. This could indicate a potential life-threatening condition that needs urgent intervention to prevent further complications. A: Urine output is important but not as critical as potential neurological deficits in this scenario. B: Tremors in the fingers are concerning but not as urgent as a potential neurological deficit. C: Headache at level 7 is significant but not as critical as a neurological deficit that could indicate a stroke.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client who has just had a thoracentesis. Which assessment information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a low O2 saturation level (88%) indicates potential respiratory compromise or hypoxemia post-thoracentesis, which requires immediate intervention to prevent hypoxia. The other choices are not as critical: B (BP slightly elevated but not urgent), C (RR slightly elevated but expected after procedure), and D (Pain at level 5 with deep breath is common post-thoracentesis and can be managed).