General Respiratory
This is the normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult.
What is 12–20 breaths per minute?
A nurse might observe this chest shape in a patient with COPD due to lung hyperinflation.
What is barrel chest
This high-pitched sound is commonly heard during auscultation of an asthma patient.
What is wheezing
This respiratory therapy encourages lung expansion and secretion clearance.
What is coughing and deep breathing?
This imaging test helps confirm pneumonia
What is a chest X-ray?
These two gases are exchanged in the alveoli.
What are oxygen and carbon dioxide?
This bronchodilator is often the first-line inhaler used to relieve acute symptoms of COPD.
What is albuterol
This type of medication provides quick relief by relaxing the bronchial muscles.
What is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)?
This test is used to evaluate lung function over time in CF patients.
What is a pulmonary function test?
These four types of agents can cause pneumonia.
What are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and aspiration of foreign material?
This term refers to labored or difficult breathing.
What is dyspnea?
COPD patients should follow a diet high in these two nutrients to maintain weight and energy
What are calories and protein
During an asthma attack, a patient may use these muscles to assist breathing.
What are accessory muscles?
These vitamins must be supplemented because they are poorly absorbed in CF
What are fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)?
This abnormal lung sound, heard during auscultation, is common in pneumonia.
What are crackles or rales?
A nurse is auscultating lung sounds and hears high-pitched whistling during expiration. What term describes this sound?
A. Crackles
B. Rhonchi
C. Wheezes
D. Stridor
Wheezes
A COPD patient is short of breath while ambulating. Which instruction by the nurse is most effective?
A. "Take shallow, fast breaths."
B. "Hold your breath while walking."
C. "Use pursed-lip breathing."
D. "Breathe only through your nose."
Use pursed-lip breathing
The nurse is reviewing lab results of a patient with asthma who is experiencing shortness of breath. Which ABG finding indicates respiratory alkalosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg
C. pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 45 mmHg
D. pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 60 mmHg
pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Frothy, bloody stools
B. Frequent urination and dry mucous membranes
C. Steatorrhea and poor weight gain
D. Bradycardia and hypotension
Steatorrhea (fatty stools) and poor weight gain
Which is the best position to improve oxygenation in a patient with pneumonia?
A. Flat in bed
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
High Fowler’s
A nurse is reviewing ABG results. Which result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg
B. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg
C. pH 7.38, PaCO₂ 35 mm Hg
D. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 28 mm Hg
pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg
A patient with COPD is prescribed albuterol via inhaler. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Tachycardia
A child is admitted for an acute asthma attack. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. O₂ saturation of 94%
C. Absence of wheezing with decreased breath sounds
D. Coughing with mucus production
Absence of wheezing with decreased breath sounds
A parent of a child with CF asks why their child takes pancreatic enzymes. The nurse’s best response is:
A. “They reduce airway inflammation.”
B. “They help digest and absorb nutrients.”
C. “They prevent lung infections.”
D. “They lower mucus production.”
“They help digest and absorb nutrients.”
Which nursing intervention is priority for a pneumonia patient with thick secretions?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Administer antidiarrheal medications
C. Restrict ambulation
D. Place the patient in restraints
Encourage fluid intake