ATI RN
Questions and Answers on Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which blood pressure (BP) finding by the nurse indicates that no changes in therapy are needed for a 78-yr-old patient with newly diagnosed hypertension?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B (118/76 mm Hg) because it falls within the recommended range for a 78-year-old patient with hypertension. The systolic BP should ideally be below 140 mm Hg and the diastolic BP below 90 mm Hg for this age group. Option A is too low for systolic BP, indicating hypotension. Option C has elevated diastolic BP, suggesting uncontrolled hypertension. Option D has high systolic BP, indicating a need for therapy adjustment. Thus, only option B aligns with the guidelines, making it the correct choice.
Question 2 of 5
Which statement is false?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, None of the above, is false. A: Dorsal respiratory group in the upper pons is indeed responsible for inspiration. B: The apneustic centre can inhibit the inspiratory centre, so this statement is true. C: The pneumotaxic centre is responsible for regulating the duration and depth of each breath, not for a prolonged inspiratory gasp interrupted by expiratory efforts. Therefore, choice D is false as all the other statements are accurate.
Question 3 of 5
The organ of the respiratory system that closes when food is being swallowed is the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: larynx. The larynx houses the vocal cords and serves as a passageway for air between the pharynx and trachea. During swallowing, the larynx closes to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway, directing them towards the esophagus instead. The nose (A) is not directly involved in swallowing. The pharynx (B) is a shared pathway for both air and food, but it does not actively close during swallowing. The trachea (D) is responsible for transporting air to and from the lungs and does not play a role in swallowing.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is assisting a physician with the removal of a chest tube. The nurse should instruct the client to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Perform the Valsalva maneuver. The Valsalva maneuver involves holding the breath and bearing down, which helps prevent air from entering the pleural space during chest tube removal, reducing the risk of a pneumothorax. Exhaling slowly (A) or inhaling and exhaling quickly (C) can increase the risk of air entering the pleural space. Staying very still (B) is important to minimize movement during the procedure, but performing the Valsalva maneuver is crucial to prevent complications.
Question 5 of 5
A black client with asthma seeks emergency care for acute respiratory distress. Because of this client's dark skin, the nurse should assess for cyanosis by inspecting the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mucous membranes. Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, is an important sign of respiratory distress. In individuals with dark skin, cyanosis may be more easily detected in the mucous membranes, such as the lips and oral mucosa, compared to the skin. The lips (choice A), nail beds (choice C), and earlobes (choice D) may not always show cyanosis clearly in individuals with darker skin tones. Therefore, assessing the mucous membranes is the best option for identifying cyanosis accurately in this scenario.