Respiratory NCLEX Questions

Extract:

Question 1 of 5

Which observation best indicates that a client with a pneumothorax is developing a tension pneumothorax?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Tracheal deviation is a hallmark sign of tension pneumothorax, indicating mediastinal shift due to increased intrathoracic pressure.

Question 2 of 5

Which specimen collection technique should the nurse use to correctly obtain the throat culture from the client?

A. The nurse asks the client to expectorate sputum into a paper cup. B. The nurse wipes the inner mouth and tongue with gauze. C. The nurse swabs the throat with a sterile cotton applicator. D. The nurse collects saliva in a sterile culture cup.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A throat culture requires swabbing the pharynx with a sterile cotton applicator to collect a sample from the area most likely to harbor pathogens.

Question 3 of 5

The nurse is presenting a class on chest tubes. Which statement best describes a tension pneumothorax?

A. A tension pneumothorax develops when an air-filled bleb on the surface of the lung ruptures. B. When a tension pneumothorax occurs, the air moves freely between the pleural space and the atmosphere. C. The injury allows air into the pleural space but prevents it from escaping from the pleural space. D. A tension pneumothorax results from a puncture of the pleura during a central line placement.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Tension pneumothorax traps air in the pleural space (
C), increasing pressure. Bleb rupture (
A) causes simple pneumothorax, free air movement (
B) is open pneumothorax, and central line (
D) is a cause, not definition.

Question 4 of 5

A patient is taking Streptomycin. Which finding below requires the nurse to notify the physician?

A. Patient reports a change in vision. B. Patient reports a metallic taste in the mouth. C. The patient has ringing in their ears. D. The patient has a persistent dry cough.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: This medication can be very toxic to the ears (cranial nerve 8).
Therefore, it is alarming if the patient reports ringing in their ears, which could represent ototoxicity.

Question 5 of 5

Which intervention should the emergency department nurse implement first for the client admitted for an acute asthma attack?

A. Administer glucocorticoids intravenously. B. Administer oxygen 5 L per nasal cannula. C. Establish and maintain a 20-gauge saline lock. D. Assess breath sounds every 15 minutes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In an acute asthma attack, the priority is to address hypoxia. Administering oxygen (
B) ensures adequate oxygenation, which is critical in respiratory distress. IV glucocorticoids (
A) reduce inflammation but act slowly and are not the first intervention. Establishing a saline lock (
C) is preparatory but not immediate. Assessing breath sounds (
D) is important but secondary to ensuring oxygenation.

Respiratory NCLEX Questions | Nurselytic

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