exam 3 respiratory

A nurse enters the room of a patient with COPD and notes the oxygen flow meter is set at 6 L/min by nasal cannula. Which action should the nurse take first? 

• Switch to a simple face mask immediately
• Lower flow to 2 L/min and reassess O₂ saturation 

• Administer a bronchodilator before adjusting oxygen
• Increase flow to 4 L/min and monitor heart rate

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: B 

Rationale: COPD patients are oxygen-dependent on low levels (88–92 %). Too much O₂ can knock out their drive to breathe. 

The nurse hears coarse crackles in a patient’s lower lobes. Which condition is most consistent? 

• A. Asthma 

• B. Pneumonia 

• C. Tuberculosis 

• D. Pulmonary embolism

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: B 

Rationale: Crackles = fluid in alveoli, common with pneumonia.

A patient with strep pharyngitis reports difficulty swallowing and drooling. What is the priority? 

• A. Give warm fluids 

• B. Notify provider immediately 

• C. Offer throat lozenges 

• D. Administer antibiotics 

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: B 

Rationale: Drooling + dysphagia = airway obstruction risk (possible peritonsillar abscess). 

Post-tonsillectomy, which finding requires immediate action? 

• A. Mild sore throat 

• B. Swallowing frequently 

• C. Complains of ear pain 

• D. Drowsiness after pain med 

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: B 

Rationale: Frequent swallowing = bleeding.

A patient with asthma suddenly stops wheezing. What should the nurse do? 

• A. Continue to monitor 

• B. Prepare for intubation 

• C. Give cough suppressant 

• D. Encourage pursed-lip breathing 

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: B 

Rationale: Absence of wheezing = no air movement → impending respiratory arrest. 

Which sputum description is most concerning? 

• A. Clear and thin 

• B. Yellow and thick 

• C. Rust-colored 

• D. White/pink and frothy 

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: D 

Rationale: Frothy/pink sputum = pulmonary edema (emergency). 

Teaching a patient using an incentive spirometer: 

• A. Exhale quickly into mouthpiece 

• B. Inhale slowly and deeply 

• C. Blow forcefully until ball rises 

• D. Breathe rapidly several times 

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: B 

Rationale: Used to inhale, expanding alveoli to prevent atelectasis. 

Which lung sound is a medical emergency? 

 

• A. Rhonchi 

• B. Wheeze 

• C. Stridor 

• D. Crackles 

Answer explanation

✅ Answer: C 

Rationale: Stridor = upper-airway obstruction; requires immediate intervention. 

Which vaccine should adults ≥ 50 receive to prevent bacterial pneumonia? 

• Influenza vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccines (pneumococcal)

• Tetanus vaccine

Which sign differentiates bacterial from viral pharyngitis? 

• Swollen lymph nodes without fever.
• Presence of white patches(exudate) on the tonsils and high fever.

• Low-grade fever and no throat pain.
• Presence of a runny nose and cough.