Exam 31: Nursing Care of Patients With Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders

The nurse enters the room of a patient who is acutely short of breath. Which action should the nurse take first?

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed methylprednisolone. For what reason should the nurse realize that corticosteroids are used in the treatment of this health problem?

The nurse works primarily with patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Which patient with lung cancer does the nurse recognize as having the best prognosis?

The nurse auscultates the lung sounds of a patient with a pneumothorax every 4 hours. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the patient's condition is improving?

A patient diagnosed with a pleural effusion is experiencing severe dyspnea. With which procedure does the nurse anticipate assisting?

The nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which set of laboratory tests will be most helpful to the nurse to monitor the condition of this patient?

The nurse is reviewing data collected on a patient with a respiratory disorder. Which factors does the nurse identify as placing the patient at risk for lung cancer?

A summer camp worker reports shortness of breath and audible wheezing to the camp nurse. Which inhaled medication will the nurse provide?

Management of asthma involves avoidance of triggers. Which environmental triggers will the nurse suggest the patient eliminate?

A patient is admitted to a respiratory unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Assessment data reveal the patient to be febrile and experiencing a weak, congested-sounding cough, with moist crackles throughout the lung fields. Based on the data provided, the nurse will focus care on which issue?

A patient who is planning to become pregnant expresses concern about the high incidence of asthma in her family. Which recommendation by the nurse is least helpful?

The nurse is providing care for a patient diagnosed with an obstructive respiratory disorder. Which patient finding indicates that nursing interventions may be ineffective?

The nurse is performing a follow up visit with a patient recently diagnosed with a GOLD 1 classification of COPD. Which statement by the patient indicates the most important compliance with previous patient teaching?

A patient with TB who is in respiratory isolation must go to the x-ray department. Which action will the nurse take?

The nurse is providing care for a patient with a suspected pulmonary emboli. Which data will the nurse gather about this patient?

The nurse is providing care for a patient with a lower respiratory tract infection who is having difficulty expectorating secretions. The patient is weak and easily fatigued. Which action by the nurse will best assist the patient in maintaining a clear airway?

The nurse is reviewing the medications prescribed by the health care provider (HCP) for a patient with COPD. Which prescription will cause the nurse to verify the ordered medication?

The nurse works in a clinic and is performing tuberculosis (TB) screening with the purified protein derivative (PPD). Which option about PPD screening is correct?

A patient with lung cancer develops pleural effusion. Which explanation by the nurse would help the patient understand this problem?

The nurse works on a pulmonary care unit and provides care for multiple patients with obstructive pulmonary conditions. Which specific symptoms will prompt the nurse to identify a patient's diagnosis as chronic bronchitis as opposed to other pulmonary diseases? (Select all that apply.)