Deck 12: The Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the purpose of mucus?

A) To warm the air entering the lungs.
B) To trap particles and bacteria.
C) To protect the cilia.
D) To clean the sinus cavity.

Answer 1

To trap particles and bacteria.

Question 2

The nurse is aware that the patient is in respiratory failure when the blood gas findings contain which values?

A) PaO₂ 46 mm Hg; PaCO₂ 52 mm Hg
B) PaO₂ 50 mm Hg; PaCO₂ 45 mm Hg
C) PaO₂ 52 mm Hg; PaCO₂ 42 mm Hg
D) PaO₂ 55 mm Hg; PaCO₂ 58 mm Hg

Answer 2

PaO₂ 46 mm Hg; PaCO₂ 52 mm Hg

Question 3

When creating a visual aid to show the mechanics of inhaling,the nurse correctly illustrates which scenario?

A) The diaphragm moves downward.
B) The negative pressure of the lung converts to positive pressure.
C) The muscles contract and pull the rib cage downward.
D) The bronchi enlarge.

Answer 3

The diaphragm moves downward.

Question 4

Which substance decreases the surface tension of the alveolar walls?

A) Plasma
B) Surfactant
C) Cilia
D) Mucus

Question 5

The nurse explains that the mechanism that triggers rate and depth of respiration is based on which factor?

A) Ease of respiration.
B) Alveolar pressure.
C) Patency of bronchi.
D) Blood pH.

Question 6

When the nurse places the diaphragm of the stethoscope over one of the main bronchi,which expected normal breath sound should the nurse hear?

A) Bronchovesicular sounds
B) Bronchial sounds
C) Sonorous sounds
D) Vesicular sounds

Question 7

For which individual(s)does U.S.Public Health Service recommend the influenza immunization?

A) Physicians
B) Compromised infants
C) Older adults
D) Chronically ill
E) Nurses

Question 8

A patient is admitted to the medical unit with an acute illness accompanied by a fever for the last 3 days.What will likely be the patient's respiratory response?

A) Hypercarbia
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Kussmaul respirations
D) Respiratory acidosis

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient who was recently admitted with a traumatic head injury.The nurse anticipates that the patient may display which type of respirations?

A) Apneustic respirations
B) Cheyne-Stokes
C) Kussmaul
D) Biot

Question 10

The nurse clarifies that when interstitial edema occurs in the lung tissue,it inhibits ventilation by causing which problem(s)?

A) Thickening alveolar membranes
B) Pus formation
C) Alveoli filling with fluid
D) Evaporating surfactant
E) Gas failing to diffuse across membrane

Question 11

Most of the inspired oxygen is carried to the tissues via which component of the body?

A) Plasma
B) Lymphatic system
C) Red blood cells
D) White blood cells

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient.After instructing the patient to cough and deep-breathe,what action should the nurse take next?

A) Offer a warm drink.
B) Perform mouth care.
C) Deliver oxygen by mask.
D) Take the patient's temperature.

Question 13

While performing an assessment,the nurse auscultates a coarse low-pitched sonorous rattling in the left lower lobe.Based on the presence of this adventitious lung sound,which action should the nurse take next?

A) Instruct the patient to turn, cough, and deep-breathe.
B) Administer the diuretic as ordered.
C) Administer the bronchodilator as ordered.
D) Instruct the patient to blow into the incentive spirometer.

Question 14

The nurse is performing deep tracheal suctioning of a patient with a respiratory disorder.Which action demonstrates appropriate technique?

A) The nurse maintains clean technique.
B) The nurse places the patient in a side-lying position.
C) The nurse suctions the patient for 10 to 15 seconds.
D) The nurse reassures the patient that he will feel no discomfort.

Question 15

The nurse is caring for multiple patients.After reviewing the patients' histories,the nurse determines that which patient possesses the highest risk of throat cancer?

A) A male patient who drinks four cups of coffee per day
B) A female patient who smokes a pack of cigarettes weekly
C) A female patient who drinks three carbonated drinks per day
D) A male patient who drinks four vodka tonics per day

Question 16

The nurse is preparing to administer the influenza immunization to four patients.Allergy to which substance should cause the nurse to question giving the immunization?

A) Strawberries
B) Ragweed
C) Penicillin
D) Eggs

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)who has been in the hospital for several days.The patient complains of shortness of breath and asks the nurse to turn up his oxygen to compensate for his labored breathing.What is the best nursing response?

A) Turn up the patient's oxygen flow by 1 liter.
B) Call the physician for an order to turn up the oxygen.
C) Assess the patient in an attempt to identify the cause of the shortness of breath.
D) Ask the patient what he usually keeps his oxygen set on at home.

Question 18

A patient with emphysema presents to the emergency room with severe dyspnea; O₂ saturation is 74%,pulse is 120,and respirations are 26.The nurse positions the patient in high Fowler.What action should the nurse take next?

A) Collect a sputum specimen.
B) Coach the patient in pursed-lip breathing.
C) Give oxygen at 5 L/min by nasal cannula.
D) Ensure patent intravenous (IV) access.

Question 19

Which manifestation(s)are age-related changes that alter the respiratory system?

A) Weakened cough
B) Kyphosis
C) Increased ciliary movement
D) Decrease in body fluid
E) Muscle weakness

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a patient with an obstructive respiratory disorder.Which of these conditions is an example of an obstructive lung disorder?

A) Atelectasis
B) Lung cancer
C) Guillain-Barré syndrome
D) Chronic bronchitis

Question 21

Trace the route of a molecule of oxygen inhaled from room air to the point of gas exchange.

Step 5

A)Larynx
B)Left and right bronchi
C)Trachea
D)Oxygen is inhaled through the nose
E)Bronchioles
F)Alveoli

Question 22

Place in the appropriate sequence the steps of auscultation of the chest.

Step 5

A)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above clavicles.
B)Listen in midaxillary line to level of diaphragm.
C)Move stethoscope from side to side down midline of the chest.
D)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above scapulae.
E)Move stethoscope side to side on either side of the spine.

Question 23

The nurse uses a visual aid to show the "hinged door" that helps prevent aspiration.This "hinged door" is the __________.

Question 24

Place in the appropriate sequence the steps of auscultation of the chest.

Step 3

A)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above clavicles.
B)Listen in midaxillary line to level of diaphragm.
C)Move stethoscope from side to side down midline of the chest.
D)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above scapulae.
E)Move stethoscope side to side on either side of the spine.

Question 25

Trace the route of a molecule of oxygen inhaled from room air to the point of gas exchange.

Step 2

A)Larynx
B)Left and right bronchi
C)Trachea
D)Oxygen is inhaled through the nose
E)Bronchioles
F)Alveoli

Question 26

Place in the appropriate sequence the steps of auscultation of the chest.

Step 1

A)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above clavicles.
B)Listen in midaxillary line to level of diaphragm.
C)Move stethoscope from side to side down midline of the chest.
D)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above scapulae.
E)Move stethoscope side to side on either side of the spine.

Question 27

Rapid opening and closing of the glottis combined with movement of the mouth,lips,and tongue is what makes _____________.

Question 28

Trace the route of a molecule of oxygen inhaled from room air to the point of gas exchange.

Step 3

A)Larynx
B)Left and right bronchi
C)Trachea
D)Oxygen is inhaled through the nose
E)Bronchioles
F)Alveoli

Question 29

The nurse describes the ability of the lungs to respond to change in the volume and pressure of inhaled air by expanding as lung __________.

Question 30

Place in the appropriate sequence the steps of auscultation of the chest.

Step 4

A)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above clavicles.
B)Listen in midaxillary line to level of diaphragm.
C)Move stethoscope from side to side down midline of the chest.
D)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above scapulae.
E)Move stethoscope side to side on either side of the spine.

Question 31

Place in the appropriate sequence the steps of auscultation of the chest.

Step 2

A)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above clavicles.
B)Listen in midaxillary line to level of diaphragm.
C)Move stethoscope from side to side down midline of the chest.
D)Place diaphragm of stethoscope above scapulae.
E)Move stethoscope side to side on either side of the spine.

Question 32

Which physical signs indicate labored breathing?

A) Grunting on expiration
B) Elevating shoulders and ribs on inspiration
C) Tensing neck and shoulder muscles
D) Substernal retraction
E) Productive cough

Question 33

Trace the route of a molecule of oxygen inhaled from room air to the point of gas exchange.

Step 4

A)Larynx
B)Left and right bronchi
C)Trachea
D)Oxygen is inhaled through the nose
E)Bronchioles
F)Alveoli

Question 34

Trace the route of a molecule of oxygen inhaled from room air to the point of gas exchange.

Step 6

A)Larynx
B)Left and right bronchi
C)Trachea
D)Oxygen is inhaled through the nose
E)Bronchioles
F)Alveoli

Question 35

The nurse is caring for a patient with a respiratory disorder who complains of anorexia.Which factor(s)may contribute to the patient's anorexia?

A) Increased sense of taste
B) Bad taste in mouth
C) Fear of exacerbate coughing by eating
D) Fatigue
E) Altered sense of smell

Question 36

Trace the route of a molecule of oxygen inhaled from room air to the point of gas exchange.

Step 1

A)Larynx
B)Left and right bronchi
C)Trachea
D)Oxygen is inhaled through the nose
E)Bronchioles
F)Alveoli