ATI RN
Questions and Answers on Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse advises the parents of a child who is in status asthmaticus that if not corrected, the result could be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because status asthmaticus can lead to pneumothorax due to increased air trapping, severe hypoxemia from impaired gas exchange, and respiratory arrest from respiratory muscle fatigue. Pneumothorax can occur due to increased intrathoracic pressure during an asthma attack. Hypertension, CVA, and cardiac arrest (choice B) are not typical complications of status asthmaticus. Respiratory alkalosis, pneumonia, and death (choice C) are less likely outcomes compared to the severe complications mentioned in choice A. Lung abscess, cor pulmonale, and respiratory failure (choice D) are not directly associated with the pathophysiology of status asthmaticus.
Question 5 of 5
Food and drink are prevented from entering the respiratory passageways during swallowing by means of the
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: epiglottis. During swallowing, the epiglottis covers the opening of the larynx to prevent food and drink from entering the respiratory passageways. It acts as a lid that directs food and liquids to the esophagus instead of the trachea. The glottis (choice A) is the space between the vocal cords, the pharynx (choice B) is the passageway for food and air, and the larynx (choice D) contains the vocal cords. The epiglottis specifically functions to protect the airway during swallowing.