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LEWIS CH. 25 - ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
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LEWIS CH. 25 - ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
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LEWIS CH. 25 - ASSESSMENT OFRESPIRATORY SYSTEM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take
during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests. - ANSWER ANS: B
When a patient has severe respiratory distress, only information pertinent to the current episode is
obtained, and a more thorough assessment is deferred until later. Obtaining a comprehensive health
history or full physical examination is unnecessary until the acute distress has resolved. Brief questioning
and a focused physical assessment should be done rapidly to help determine the cause of the distress
and suggest treatment. Checking for allergies is important, but it is not appropriate to complete the
entire admission database at this time. The initial respiratory assessment must be completed before any
diagnostic tests or interventions can be ordered
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse
position the patient?
a. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
b. In a high-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table - ANSWER ANS: D
The upright position with the arms supported increases lung expansion, allows fluid to collect at the lung
bases, and expands the intercostal space so that access to the pleural space is easier. The other positions
would increase the work of breathing for the patient and make it more difficult for the health care
provider performing the thoracentesis
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34 mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg;
HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?
, a. Intercostal retractions
b. Kussmaul respirations
c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - ANSWER ANS: B
Kussmaul (deep and rapid) respirations are a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The low
pH and low bicarbonate result indicate metabolic acidosis. Intercostal retractions, a low oxygen
saturation rate, and a decrease in venous O2 pressure would not be caused by acidosis
On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds during inhalation in
the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes - ANSWER ANS: A
Crackles are low-pitched, bubbling sounds usually heard on inspiration. Wheezes are high-pitched
sounds. They can be heard during the expiratory or inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle. The lower
third of both lungs are the bases, not apices. Pleural friction rubs are grating sounds that are usually
heard during both inspiration and expiration
The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says "99" and notes absent fremitus. Which
action should the nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally. - ANSWER ANS: D
To assess for tactile fremitus, the nurse should use the palms of the hands to assess for vibration when
the patient repeats a word or phrase such as "99." After noting absent fremitus, the nurse should then
auscultate the lungs to assess for the presence or absence of breath sounds. Absent fremitus may be
noted with pneumothorax or atelectasis. The vibration is increased in conditions such as pneumonia,
lung tumors, thick bronchial secretions, and pleural effusion. Turning, coughing, and deep breathing is an
appropriate intervention for atelectasis, but the nurse needs to first assess breath sounds. Fremitus is
decreased if the hand is farther from the lung or the lung is hyperinflated (barrel chest).The anterior of
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