Medical Surgical Respiratory Practice Questions
ATI - PN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing (Edition 10.0)
1. A nurse is collecting data on a client following a bronchoscopy. Which of the following
ndings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Blood-tinged sputum
B. Dry, nonproductive cough
C. Sore throat
D. Laryngospasm
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a thoracentesis. Which of the following
supplies should the nurse ensure are in the clients room? (Select all that apply)
A. Oxygen equipment
B. Incentive spirometer
C. Pulse oximeter
D. Sterile dressing
E. Suture removal kit
3. A nurse is caring for a client following a thoracentesis. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse recognize as risks for complications? (Select all that apply)
A. Dyspnea
B. Localized bloody drainage on the dressing
C. Fever
D. Hypotension
E. Report of pain at the puncture site
4. A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a chest tube and drainage system in place.
Which of the following ndings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Gentle constant bubbling in the suction control chamber
C. Rise and fall in the level of water in the water seal chamber with inspiration
and expiration
D. Exposed sutures without dressing
E. Drainage system upright at chest level
5. A nurse is assisting a provider with the removal of a chest tube. Which of the following
actions should the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Lie on his left side
B. Use the incentive spirometer
D. Cough at regular intervals
E. Perform the Valsalva maneuver
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing respiratory distress. Which of the following
early manifestations of hypoxemia should the nurse recognize? (Select all that apply)
A. Confusion
B. Pale skin
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypotension
E. Elevated blood pressure
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7. A nurse is caring for a client who has dyspnea and will receive oxygen continuously. Which
of the following oxygen devices should the nurse use to deliver a precise amount of oxygen to
the client?
A. Nonrebreather mask
B. Venturi mask
C. Nasal cannula
D. Simple face mask
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oxygen therapy of 4 L/min
using a nasal cannula. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Provide humidi cation
B. Remove the cannula during meal times
C. Establish an alternative means of communication
D. Lubricate the nares with 0.9% sodium chloride
9. A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who has respiratory distress. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply)
A. Position the client on his left side
B. Provide emotional support to the client
C. Encourage the client to cough
D. Perform oral suctioning as needed
E. Have the client take short, shallow breaths
10. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of
the following ndings indicates that the client might have developed an infection?
A. Decrease in blood pressure
B. Increase in abdominal girth
C. Change in sputum color
D. Absent breath sounds over one lung area
11. A nurse is monitoring a group of clients for increased risk for developing pneumonia.
Which of the following clients should the nurse expect to be at risk? (Select all that apply)
A. Client who has dysphagia
B. Client who has AIDS
C. Client who received vaccines for pneumococcus & in uenza 6 months ago
D. Client who is ambulatory after receiving a local anesthesia
E. Client who has a closed head injury and is receiving ventilation
F. Client who has myasthenia gravis
12. A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client whose partner states the client woke up this
morning, did not recognize him, and did not know where she was. The client reports chills and
chest pain that is worse upon inspiration. Which of the following actions is the nursing priority?
A. Obtain baseline vital signs and oxygen saturation
B. Obtain a sputum culture
C. Obtain a complete history from the client
D. Provide a pneumococcal vaccine
13. A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Data collection ndings include
temperature 37.8° C (100° F), respirations 30/min, blood pressure 130/76 mm Hg, heart rate
100/min, and SaO2 91% on room air. Which of the following actions is the nurses priority?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Administer oxygen therapy
C. Perform a sputum culture
D. Administer an antipyretic medication to promote client comfort
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14. A nurse in a clinic is collecting data on a client who has sinusitis. Which of the following
techniques should the nurse use to identify manifestations of this disorder?
A. Percussion of posterior
B. Auscultation of the trachea
C. Inspection of the conjunctiva
D. Palpation of the orbital areas
15. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about in uenza. Which of the following client
statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. “I should wash my hands after blowing my nose to prevent spreading the
virus”
B. “I need to avoid drinking uids if I develop symptoms”
C. “I need a u shot every 2 years because of the di erent u strains”
D. “I should cover my mouth with my hand when I sneeze”
16. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is having an acute asthma attach. Which of the
following ndings should indicate to the nurse that the client’s respirations status is declining?
(Select all that apply)
A. SaO2 95%
B. Wheezing
C. Retraction of sternal muscles
D. Pink mucous membranes
E. Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)
17. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is being admitted to an acute care facility. The
client has an SaO2 of 91%, exhibits audible wheezes, and is using accessory muscles when
breathing. Which of the following classes of medications should the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Antibiotic
B. Beta blocker
C. Antiviral
D. Beta2 agonist
18. A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
prednisone to treat asthma. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. “I will decrease my uid intake while taking this medication”
B. “I will expect to have black tarry stools”
C. “I will take my medication with food”
D. “I will monitor for weight loss while on this medication”
19. A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a history of asthma. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a risk for asthma?
A. Gender
B. Environmental allergies
C. Alcohol use
D. Race
20. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client on the purpose of taking inhaled albuterol.
Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. “This medication can decrease my immune response”
B. “I can take this medication to stop an asthma attack”
C. “I need to take this medication with food”
D. “This medication has a slow onset to treat my symptoms”
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21. A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has COPD and a new
prescription for albuterol. Which of the following client statements indicates understanding of
the teaching?
A. “This medication can increase my blood sugar levels”
B. “This medication can decrease my immune response”
C. “I can have an increase in my heart rate while taking this medication”
D. “I can have mouth sores while taking this medication”
22. A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of prednisone to a client who has COPD. The
nurse should monitor for which of the following adverse e ects of this medication? (Select all
that apply)
A. Hypokalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Fluid retention
D. Nausea
E. Black, tarry stools
23. A nurse is assisting with the discharge of a client who has COPD. Upon discharge, the
client is concerned that he will never be able to leave his house now that he is on continuous
oxygen. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
A. “There are portable oxygen delivery systems that you can take with you”
B. “When you go out, you can remove the oxygen and then reapply it when you
get home”
C. “You probably will not be able to go out as much as you used to”
D. “Home health services will come to you so you will not need to get out”
24. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about the use of an incentive spirometer.
Which of the following client statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. “I will place the adapter on my nger to read my blood oxygen saturation
level”
B. “I will lie on my back with my knees bent”
C. “I will rest my hand over my abdomen to create resistance”
D. “I will take in a deep breath and hold it before exhaling”
25. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about how to perform pursed-lip breathing.
Which of the following should the nurse include in the instructions?
A. “Inhale quickly through the mouth”
B. “Place your hand over your stomach”
C. “Take a deep breath in through your nose”
D. “Pu your cheeks upon exhalation”
26. A home health nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has active tuberculosis. The
provider has prescribed isoniazid 250 mg PO daily, rifampin 500 mg PO daily, pyrazinamide
750 mg PO daily, and ethambutol 750 mg PO daily. Which of the following statements indicates
the client understands the teaching? (Select all that apply)
A. “I can substitute one medication for another if I run out, because they all
ght infection”
B. “I will wash my hands each time I cough”
C. “I will wear a mask in a public area”
D. “I am glad I don’t have to have any more sputum specimens”
E. “I don’t need to worry where I go once I start taking my medications”
27. A use is reinforcing teaching with a client who has tuberculosis. Which of the following
statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
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A. “You will need to continue to take the multi medication regimen for 4
months”
B. “You will need to provide sputum samples every 4 weeks to monitor the
e ectiveness of the medication”
C. “You will need to remain hospitalized for treatment”
D. “You will need to wear a mask at all times”
28. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of tuberculosis and has been placed
on a multi medication regimen. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the
client related to ethambutol?
A. “Your urine can turn a dark orange”
B. “Monitor for weight gain”
C. “Watch for any changes to vision”
D. “Take vitamin B6 daily”
29. A nurse is preparing to administer isoniazid to a client who has tuberculosis. The nurse
should instruct the client to report which of the following ndings as an adverse e ect of the
medication?
A. Orange urine
B. Joint pain
C. Tingling in the hands
D. Constipation
30. A nurse is providing information about tuberculosis to a group of clients at a local
community center. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the
teaching? (Select all that apply)
A. Persistent cough
B. Weight gain
C. Fatigue
D. Night sweats
E. Purulent sputum
31. A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients are at risk for a
pulmonary embolism? (Select all that apply)
A. A client who has a BMI of 30
B. A client who is postmenopausal
C. A client who has a fractured femur
D. A client who is a marathon runner
E. A client who has chronic atrial brillation
32. A nurse is collecting data on a client who has a pulmonary embolism. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect to nd? (Select all that apply)
A. Bradypnea
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Hypertension
D. Petechiae
E. Tachycardia
33. A nurse is reviewing prescriptions for a client who has acute dyspnea and diaphoreses.
The client states she is anxious and is unable to get enough air. Vital signs are heart rate 117/
min, respirations 38/min, temperature 38.4° C (101.2° F), and blood pressure 100/54 mm Hg.
Which of the following nursing actions is the priority?
A. Notify the provider
B. Ensure access to heparin via IV infusion
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C. Administer oxygen therapy
D. Obtain a spiral CT scan
34. A nurse is caring for a client who has a pulmonary embolism and a new prescription for
heparin therapy. Which of the following statements by the client should indicate an immediate
concern for the nurse?
A. “I am allergic to morphine”
B. “I take antacids several times a day for a stomach ulcer”
C. “I had a blood clot in my leg several years ago”
D. “It hurts to take a deep breath”
35. A nurse is caring for a client who is to receive thrombolytic therapy. Which of the following
factors should the nurse recognize as a contraindication to the therapy?
A. Hip arthroplasty 2 weeks ago
B. Elevated sedimentation rate
C. Incident of exercise-induced asthma 1 week ago
D. Elevated platelet count
36. A nurse is collecting data on a client following a gunshot wound to the chest. For which of
the following ndings should the nurse monitor to detect a pneumothorax? (Select all that
apply)
A. Tachypnea
B. Deviation of the trachea
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased use of accessory muscles
E. Pleuritic pain
37. A nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a client who has pneumothorax. Which of the
following actions should the nurse perform rst?
A. Check the clients pain
B. Obtain a large-bore IV needle for decompression
C. Administer lorazepam
D. Prepare for chest tube insertion
38. A nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions for a client who experienced a pneumothorax.
Which of the following statements should the nurse use when teaching the client?
A. “Notify your provider if you experience weakness”
B. “You should be able to return to work in 1 week”
C. “You need to wear a mask when in crowded areas”
D. “Notify your provider if you experience a productive cough”
39. A nurse is collecting data on a client who has a suspected ail chest. Which of the
following ndings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypotension
D. Dyspnea
E. Paradoxic chest movements
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40. A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who has ARDs with absent breath sounds in the
lower lobes and dyspnea. Which of the following actins should the nurse take rst?
A. Obtain a chest xray
B. Prepare for chest tube insertion
C. Administer oxygen via a high- ow mask
D. Ensure IV Access
41. A nurse if reinforcing teaching with a family of a client who has acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDs) and is receiving vecuronium. Which of the following statements by a family
member should the nurse identify as understanding of the teaching?
A. “This medication is given to treat infection”
B. “This medication is given to facilitate ventilation”
C. “This medication is given to decrease in ammation”
D. “This medication is given to reduce anxiety”
42. A nurse is reviewing the health records of ve clients. Which of the following clients are at
risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome? (Select all that apply)
A. A client who experienced a near-drowning incident
B. A client following coronary artery bypass graft surgery
C. A client who has a hemoglobin who has a hemoglobin of 15.1 mg/dL
D. A client who has dysphagia
E. A client who experienced a drug overdose
43. A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who has severe acute respiratory
distress syndrome (SARS). Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?
(Select all that apply)
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Provide supplemental oxygen
C. Administer antiviral medications
D. Administer of bronchodilators
E. Maintain ventilatory support
44. A nurse at a long-term care facility is collecting data from a client who has a history of
asthma and has developed pneumonia. Which of the following ndings indicate the client is
developing respiratory failure? (Select all that apply)
A. Irritability
B. Flushed skin
C. Orthopnea
D. Heart rate 55/min
E. Dyspnea
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