Question 1

Which diagnostic procedure is used to remove pleural fluid for analysis?

Accepted Answer

Thoracentesis is the procedure in which a needle is used to remove pleural fluid for analysis. Lung biopsy, bronchoscopy, and sputum studies are not used to remove pleural fluid.

Question 2

The nurse assesses a patient who presents with tachypnea and clubbing of the fingers.Based on this data,which diagnosis does the nurse anticipate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Tachypnea and clubbing of the fingers are both signs of chronic hypoxemia, which is a condition where there is low oxygen in the blood over a long period of time. Chronic hypoxemia can result from many different conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and other chronic lung diseases. However, without further information about the patient's medical history and other symptoms, it is not possible to definitively diagnose the underlying cause.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism.Which radiology study does the nurse anticipate to be beneficial for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred radiology study for suspected pulmonary embolism as it is non-invasive, quick, and accurate for diagnosis. Chest x-ray may show non-specific findings and is not the primary diagnostic tool for pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary angiogram and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are more invasive and time-consuming, and are usually reserved for cases where CT is contraindicated or inconclusive.

Question 4

The nurse is providing care to a patient who undergoes a sputum study.Which will the sputum study help to diagnose?

Accepted Answer

A sputum study can help diagnose a bacterial lung infection by identifying the type of bacteria present in the sputum sample. It may also be used to check for antibiotic resistance in the bacteria. Asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be diagnosed through a sputum study alone.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient with shortness of breath and respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute.Which is the most preferred method to auscultate the chest of the patient with this condition?

Accepted Answer

When a patient presents with shortness of breath and an increased respiratory rate, the preferred method of auscultation is listening at the lung bases. This is because when a patient is experiencing difficulty breathing, their lung sounds may be more easily heard in the lower lobes of the lungs, where there is a greater concentration of airways. Listening at the apices may not reveal as much information, as there are fewer airways present in these areas. Listening by comparing opposite areas of the chest may not be necessary in this case, as the patient's symptoms alone provide enough information to warrant auscultation of the lung bases. Listening to each cycle of inspiratory and expiratory cycle may also not be necessary in this case, as it is more important to assess the overall quality and character of the patient's breath sounds.

Question 6

When percussing the patient's lung fields,the nurse notes a moderately low-pitched sound over the chest.Which term does the nurse use to describe these sounds?

Accepted Answer

Resonance is the term used to describe a moderately low-pitched sound that is typically heard over normal lung fields during percussion.

Question 7

Which would the nurse assess when using palpation during the respiratory assessment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which would the nurse assess when using...

Question 8

The nurse is assessing a patient who is admitted with a persistent cough and is diagnosed with pulmonary edema.Which assessment finding supports the patient's diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Large amounts of frothy, pink-tinged sputum are indicative of pulmonary edema, which is the seepage of fluid from the pulmonary capillaries into the lung tissue and airspaces. This is often caused by heart failure, pneumonia or other causes of lung inflammation. Foul smelling sputum may indicate a bacterial infection, but is not necessarily related to pulmonary edema. Clear, whitish, or yellow sputum, and clear to gray sputum with occasional specks of brown may be seen in various respiratory conditions, but do not specifically support a diagnosis of pulmonary edema.

Question 9

While auscultating a patient's chest,the nurse notes wheezing.Based on this data,which diagnosis does the nurse anticipate?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing is a common characteristic of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a chronic lung disease that blocks airflow and makes it difficult to breathe. It can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Question 10

The nurse educator is teaching a student nurse how to auscultate the lungs.Which action by the student nurse indicates the need for further education?

Accepted Answer

Lung sounds are best heard over the air-filled spaces, not over bony structures. The student nurse needs further education on where to listen for the lung sounds.

Question 11

Which is the term used to describe abnormal breath sounds?

Accepted Answer

Adventitious breath sounds are abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezes, crackles, and stridor, heard during auscultation of the lungs. Vesicular, bronchial, and bronchovesicular breath sounds are normal breath sounds.

Question 12

A patient is admitted to the emergency department (ED)with dyspnea.Upon assessment,the nurse notes a bluish discoloration of the patient's lips,fine crackles on auscultation,and dullness upon percussion of the lung fields.Based on this data,which diagnosis does the nurse anticipate?

Accepted Answer

The patient is exhibiting clinical manifestations of pulmonary edema, which is associated with dyspnea, bluish discoloration of the lips, fine crackles on auscultation, and dullness upon percussion. Asthma would typically present with wheezing and will not have dullness on percussion. Pleural effusion can cause dyspnea and dullness upon percussion, but typically does not cause bluish discoloration of the lips or crackles on auscultation. Pulmonary fibrosis may cause dyspnea, but typically does not cause bluish discoloration of the lips or crackles on auscultation, and may not have dullness upon percussion. Therefore, pulmonary edema is the most likely diagnosis.

Question 13

The nurse is conducting a respiratory assessment for a patient who is diagnosed with asthma.Which assessment finding indicates the patient is experiencing airway irritation?

Accepted Answer

A dry, hacking cough is often associated with airway irritation, which is common in asthma patients.

Question 14

The nurse is conducting a health history interview for a patient who is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Which question is appropriate when assessing the patient's nutrition-metabolic pattern?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss is a common side effect of COPD and can indicate poor nutrition or metabolic issues. The other options are not relevant to assessing nutrition or metabolic patterns.

Question 15

What is the function of the epiglottis?

Accepted Answer

The function of the epiglottis is to prevent the entry of solids and liquids into the lungs. It acts as a flap that covers the opening of the trachea (windpipe) when swallowing, directing food and drinks to the esophagus instead of the lungs.

Question 16

The nurse is assessing a patient who is diagnosed with tuberculosis.Which assessment finding supports this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is a common symptom of tuberculosis. Wheezing, grey sputum, and slightly whitish sputum are not specific to tuberculosis and can be present in various respiratory conditions.

Question 17

Which interconnected structure allows the movement of air between the alveoli?

Accepted Answer

Pores of Kohn are small openings that allow air to move between adjacent alveoli, promoting equalization of air pressure and facilitating gas exchange. Bronchioles, visceral pleura, and parietal pleura are not specifically involved in air movement between alveoli.

Question 18

The nurse is providing care to a patient who will need a bronchoscopy.Which patient statement indicates appropriate understanding of the information presented?

Accepted Answer

It is necessary for the patient to fast for eight hours before a bronchoscopy to prevent aspiration during the procedure. The patient will usually receive conscious sedation but will remain awake and able to follow instructions. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary in rare cases, but it is not a standard part of the procedure. Prothrombin time testing may be necessary if the patient is taking blood-thinning medication or has clotting disorders, but it is not a routine part of pre-procedure preparations.

Question 19

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is diagnosed with asthma.Which noninvasive method will the nurse use to assess the patient's oxygenation status?

Accepted Answer

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method used to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. It is a quick and easy way to assess the patient's oxygenation status without the need for an invasive procedure like arterial blood gas or venous blood gas. A cardiopulmonary monitor may provide additional information but is not specifically used to assess oxygenation status.

Question 20

The nurse is performing pulmonary function testing on a patient.Which nursing action is beneficial to the patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is performing pulmonary function testing...

Quiz 23: Assessment of Respiratory Function