Chapter 16

Question 1

Which of the following medications can be used for the treatment of an acute asthma attack?

Cromolyn
Albuterol
Fluticasone
Salmeterol

Answer 1

Albuterol

Question 2

What is the most appropriate method for oxygen delivery to an adult patient experiencing breathing difficulty?

Nasal cannula at 2 to 6 L/min
Nonrebreathing mask at 15 L/min
Venturi mask at 8 L/min
Bag-mask device at 15 L/min

Answer 2

Nonrebreathing mask at 15 L/min

Question 3

When assisting an asthmatic patient with a small-volume nebulizer attached to oxygen, what is the appropriate flow rate for the oxygen?

2 L/min
4 L/min
6 L/min
10 L/min

Answer 3

6 L/min

Question 4

In addition to asthma, which of the following conditions is associated with wheezing?

Croup
Epiglottitis
Pulmonary embolism
Bronchitis

Answer 4

Bronchitis

Question 5

What is atelectasis?

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs
A buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness
A buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids
An extreme, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure

Answer 5

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs

Question 6

Which type of breath sound are you more likely to hear in a person with congestive heart failure?

Decreased/absent
Rhonchi
Crackles
Stridor

Answer 6

Crackles

Question 7

You arrive at a residence where you find a woman in her early 60s. She is anxious and tachycardic, and her fingertips and lips are blue. As you assess her, she coughs up frothy sputum, and you hear crackles and some wheezing as you check for breath sounds. What condition do these findings indicate?

Spontaneous pneumothorax
Emphysema
Bronchitis
Congestive heart failure

Answer 7

Congestive heart failure

Question 8

In the mnemonic PASTE, what does the “S” stand for?

Symptoms
Severity
Sputum
Syncope

Answer 8

Sputum

Question 9

The CPAP is generally used for which condition?

Acute pulmonary edema
Hyperventilation
Pleural effusion
Spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 9

Acute pulmonary edema

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true regarding asthma?

Asthma involves accumulation of air in the pleural space.
Asthma involves a collection of fluid in the pleural space.
Asthma involves excessive mucus production.
Asthma involves a collection of fluid in the alveoli.

Answer 10

Asthma involves excessive mucus production.

Question 11

The process in which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs is called:
respiration.
ventilation.
metabolism.
inhalation.

Answer 11

respiration

Question 12

Which of the following respiratory diseases causes obstruction of the lower airway?
Croup
Asthma
Epiglottitis
Laryngitis

Answer 12

Asthma

Question 13

Which of the following diseases is potentially drug resistant and is thought to be transmitted by coughing?
Tuberculosis
Croup
Diphtheria
Epiglottitis

Answer 13

Tuberculosis

Question 14

All of the following are causes of acute dyspnea, EXCEPT:
asthma.
emphysema.
pneumothorax.
pulmonary embolism.

Answer 14

emphysema

Question 15

Bronchospasm is MOST often associated with:
asthma.
bronchitis.
pneumonia.
pneumothorax

Answer 15

asthma

Question 16

A sudden onset of difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain, and cyanosis that persists despite supplemental oxygen is MOST consistent with:
severe pneumonia.
myocardial infarction.
a pulmonary embolism.
a spontaneous pneumothorax.

Answer 16

a pulmonary embolism.

Question 17

Albuterol, a beta-2 agonist, is the generic name for:
Alupent.
Metaprel.
Brethine.
Ventolin.

Answer 17

Ventolin

Question 18

An acute bacterial infection that results in swelling of the flap that covers the larynx during swallowing is called:
croup.
laryngitis.
epiglottitis.
diphtheria.

Answer 18

epiglottitis.

Question 19

A 70-year-old man recently had a heart attack and now complains of severe difficulty breathing, especially when lying flat. He is coughing up pink, frothy secretions. This patient is MOST likely experiencing:
acute right heart failure.
severe left heart failure.
an acute onset of bronchitis.
an acute pulmonary embolism.

Answer 19

severe left heart failure.

Question 20

Which of the following patients is breathing adequately?
36-year-old man with cyanosis around the lips and irregular respirations
29-year old woman with respirations of 20 breaths/min, who is conscious and alert
22-year-old man with labored respirations at a rate of 28 breaths/min and pale skin
59-year-old woman with difficulty breathing, whose respirations are rapid and shallow

Answer 20

29-year old woman with respirations of 20 breaths/min, who is conscious and alert

Question 21

1. A conscious and alert 29-year-old female with a history of asthma complains of difficulty breathing that began after her morning jog. The temperature outside is 40°F (5°C). On exam, you hear bilateral expiratory wheezing. After providing supplemental oxygen, you should:

Answer 21

determine if she has been prescribed a beta-agonist inhaler.

Question 22

2. A pleural effusion is MOST accurately defined as:

Answer 22

fluid accumulation outside the lung

Question 23

3. Albuterol is a generic name for:

Answer 23

ventolin

Question 24

4. Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when:

Answer 24

blood acidity is reduced by excessive breathing.

Question 25

5. An alert patient presents with a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation and breath sounds that are clear and equal on both sides of the chest. These findings are consistent with:

Answer 25

adequate air exchange

Question 26

6. Asthma is caused by a response of the:

Answer 26

immune system

Question 27

7. At the onset of an acute asthma attack, patients commonly experience difficulty breathing and:

Answer 27

audible stridor

Question 28

8. Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include:

Answer 28

tachypnea and tingling in the extremities.

Question 29

9. Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as:

Answer 29

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Question 30

10. Harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sounds are characteristic of:

Answer 30

stridor

Question 31

11. Hyperventilation could be associated with all of the following EXCEPT: an overdose of aspirin a narcotic overdose high blood glucose levels a respiratory infection

Answer 31

a narcotic overdoes

Question 32

12. In order for efficient pulmonary gas exchange to occur:

Answer 32

oxygen and carbon dioxide must be able to freely diffuse across the alveolar-capillary membrane.

Question 33

13. In what area of the lungs does respiration occur?

Answer 33

alveoli

Question 34

14. The two processes that occur during respiration are:

Answer 34

inspiration and expiration

Question 35

15. When assessing for fluid collection in the lungs during auscultation of lung sounds, you should:

Answer 35

start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start hearing clear breath sounds.

Question 36

16. When auscultating the lungs of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear adventitious sounds. This means that the patient has:

Answer 36

abnormal breath sounds

Question 37

17. When the level of arterial carbon dioxide rises above normal:

Answer 37

respirations increase in rate and depth

Question 38

18. Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to result in hypoxia? pulmonary edema pleural effusion narcotic overdose severe anxiety

Answer 38

severe anxiety

Question 39

19. Which of the following is MOST characteristic of adequate breathing?

Answer 39

24 breaths/min with bilaterally equal breath sounds and pink skin

Question 40

20. Which of the following statements regarding pulse oximetry is correct?

Answer 40

Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen, but does not measure the actual hemoglobin content of the blood.