Question 1

A patient's arterial blood gas reveals decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.What is the most likely cause of this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hyperventilation 
B)  Hypoventilation 
C)  Apnea 
D)  Cyanosis

Question 2

A 60 year old with a history of cirrhosis presents with dyspnea, impaired ventilation, and pleural pain.A diagnosis of pleural effusion is made, and a watery fluid is drained.When giving report, the nurse will refer to this fluid as:

Accepted Answer

A)  exudative. 
B)  purulent. 
C)  infected. 
D)  transudative.

Question 3

Airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma is related to:

Accepted Answer

A)  increased sympathetic nervous system response. 
B)  the release of stress hormones. 
C)  exposure to an allergen causing mast cell degranulation. 
D)  hereditary decrease in IgE responsiveness.

Question 4

A 70 year old hospitalized for a pelvic fracture develops a pulmonary embolism.The nurse realizes this embolus is most commonly composed of:

Accepted Answer

A)  fat. 
B)  air. 
C)  tissue fragment. 
D)  blood clot.

Question 5

An 80 year old develops pneumonia in the hospital.An assessment identifies that the patient is cyanotic and tachycardic and has developed a fever and a cough.Chest x-ray reveals pus in the pleural space.This symptomology supports which medical diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Empyema 
B)  Emphysema 
C)  Pleurisy 
D)  Chyle

Question 6

A 22 year old presents with chronic bronchitis.Tests reveal closure of the airway during expiration.This condition is most likely caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  thick mucus from hypertrophied glands. 
B)  ventilation-perfusion mismatch. 
C)  hyperventilation. 
D)  thinning smooth muscle in the bronchioles.

Question 7

A 15 year old is diagnosed with restrictive lung disease caused by fibrosis.Which pulmonary function test finding is expected?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increased compliance 
B)  Increased tidal volume 
C)  Decreased respiratory rate 
D)  Decreased functional residual capacity

Question 8

Which assessment finding would be expected in pulmonary embolism (PE)? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Chest pain 
B)  Tachycardia 
C)  Tachypnea 
D)  Fever 
E)  Hemoptysis
F)None of above

Question 9

The patient generally acquires nosocomial pneumonia:

Accepted Answer

A)  at day care centers. 
B)  on airplanes. 
C)  during hospitalization. 
D)  in the winter season.

Question 10

A 10 year old develops pneumonia.Physical exam reveals subcostal and intercostal retractions.The child reports that breathing is difficult with feelings that, "I cannot get enough air." What term should the nurse use to document this condition?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cyanosis 
B)  Dyspnea 
C)  Hyperpnea 
D)  Orthopnea

Question 11

A 60 year old undergoes surgery for a bone fracture.Which nursing measure would be most effective for preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) in this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ensure that patient uses supplemental oxygen. 
B)  Prevent deep vein thrombosis formation. 
C)  Check hematocrit and hemoglobin levels frequently during the postoperative period. 
D)  Promote aggressive fluid intake.

Question 12

A 50 year old presents with hypotension, hypoxemia, and tracheal deviation to the left.Tests reveal that the air pressure in the pleural cavity exceeds barometric pressure in the atmosphere.Based upon these assessment findings, what does the nurse suspect the patient is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pleural effusion 
B)  Tension pneumothorax 
C)  Open pneumothorax 
D)  Transudative pneumothorax

Question 13

The organism that causes tuberculosis is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  bacterium. 
B)  fungus. 
C)  virus. 
D)  parasite.

Question 14

A 10 year old is brought to the ER with prolonged bronchospasm and severe hypoxemia.The symptomology supports which diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Exercise-induced asthma 
B)  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COP
D)  
C)  Status asthmaticus 
D)  Bronchiectasis

Question 15

The most common cause of pulmonary edema is:

Accepted Answer

A)  right heart failure. 
B)  left heart failure. 
C)  asthma. 
D)  lung cancer.

Question 16

A 50 year old is diagnosed with lung cancer.The health history includes a 30-year history of smoking, exposure to air pollution, asbestos, and radiation.What had the greatest impact on the development of his cancer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Radiation 
B)  Cigarette smoke 
C)  Asbestos 
D)  Air pollution

Question 17

A 30 year old is diagnosed with emphysema.Changes in this patient's lungs are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  viral infections. 
B)  destruction of alveolar macrophages. 
C)  alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. 
D)  fibrotic lung disease.

Question 18

A 57 year old presents with cough, sputum production, dyspnea, and decreased lung volume and is diagnosed with pneumoconiosis.When taking the patient's history, which finding is the most probable cause of the illness?

Accepted Answer

A)  Inhalation of silica 
B)  Autoimmune disease 
C)  Allergic reactions 
D)  Flail chest

Question 19

Aspiration of oral secretions increases a patient's risk for which complication?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pneumonia 
B)  Bronchiectasis 
C)  Pneumothorax 
D)  Emphysema

Question 20

As a result of a severe head injury, a patient is now experiencing respiratory abnormalities characterized by alternating periods of deep and shallow breathing with periods of apnea.What term should the nurse use when charting this condition?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cheyne-Stokes 
B)  Frank-Starling 
C)  Apnea 
D)  Orthopnea

Exam 29: Alterations of Pulmonary Function

A patient's arterial blood gas reveals decreased carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels.What is the most likely cause of this situation?