Practice Questions for Respiratory System

Practice Questions for Respiratory System Related

Review Practice Questions for Respiratory System related questions and content

Nurse Ruth assessing a patient for tracheal displacement should know that the trachea will deviate toward the:

  • A. Contralateral side in a simple pneumothorax.
  • B. Affected side in a hemothorax.
  • C. Affected side in a tension pneumothorax.
  • D. Contralateral side in hemothorax.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Contralateral side in hemothorax. In a hemothorax, blood collects in the pleural cavity on one side of the chest, causing a mass effect that displaces the trachea away from the affected side towards the opposite side. This occurs due to the pressure created by the accumulated blood pushing the trachea away. In the other choices, tracheal deviation would occur towards the affected side rather than away from it. For example, in a tension pneumothorax (Choice C), air accumulates under pressure in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse and pushing the trachea towards the affected side. Similarly, in a simple pneumothorax (Choice A), where there is air in the pleural space but not under pressure, the trachea may deviate towards the affected side. In a hemothorax (Choice B), the trachea would not deviate towards the affected side as

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Which vertebrate body system is most closely associated functionally with respiration?

  • A. urinary
  • B. digestive
  • C. endocrine
  • D. circulatory
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: circulatory system. This system is most closely associated with respiration as it transports oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and removes carbon dioxide. The circulatory system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The other choices (A: urinary, B: digestive, C: endocrine) are not directly involved in the process of respiration and do not play a significant role in the exchange of gases in the body.

A 92-year-old female patient is being admitted to the emergency department with severe shortness of breath. Being aware of the patient’s condition, what approach should the nurse use to assess the patient’s lungs?

  • A. Apex to base
  • B. Base to apex
  • C. Lateral sequence
  • D. Anterior then posterior
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In a patient with severe shortness of breath, the nurse should assess the lungs using a posterior to anterior approach to minimize discomfort and optimize assessment in compromised patients.

The 75-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath,
fatigue, and a dry cough. When information leads the nurse to suspect that this patient should
undergo workup for histoplasmosis?

  • A. The patient reports drinking pond water
  • B. The patient lives on a farm and raises chickens.
  • C. The patient recently went hunting in a wooded area.
  • D. The patient owns a landscaping company.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because living on a farm and raising chickens increases the risk of exposure to histoplasmosis, a fungal infection commonly found in soil contaminated with bird droppings. Raising chickens can lead to exposure to bird feces, which may contain the histoplasma fungus. The other choices (A, C, D) do not directly involve exposure to environments where the fungus is commonly found, making them less likely to lead to histoplasmosis workup.

The function of tracheal cilia is to

  • A. Pass mucus out
  • B. Pass mucus in
  • C. Pass air out
  • D. Pass air out
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pass mucus out. Tracheal cilia help move mucus, which contains dust, debris, and pathogens, out of the respiratory tract to prevent infections and maintain clear airways. This process is known as mucociliary clearance. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because tracheal cilia do not pass mucus in, pass air out, or pass air in. Tracheal cilia specifically function to clear mucus out of the respiratory tract.

A client has been admitted for suspected inhalation anthrax infection. What question by the nurse is most important?

  • A. Are any family members also ill?
  • B. Have you traveled recently?
  • C. How long have you been ill?
  • D. What is your occupation?
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: What is your occupation? This is the most important question because inhalation anthrax is commonly associated with certain occupations, like handling animal products or working in agricultural settings. Knowing the client's occupation can help identify potential sources of exposure.

A: Are any family members also ill? - While important for assessing potential spread of infection, this question does not directly help in determining the cause of the anthrax infection.

B: Have you traveled recently? - Travel history is relevant for certain infectious diseases, but for inhalation anthrax, occupational exposure is a more crucial factor to consider.

C: How long have you been ill? - Timing of symptoms is important for diagnosis and treatment, but knowing the client's occupation provides more specific information in the case of suspected inhalation anthrax.

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