Chapter 16 Flashcards
Which of the following can be considered a purpose of the interview the RT performs?
1. To collect diagnostic information
2. To establish a rapport with the patient
3. To identify plans for payment
4. To identify the effect of therapy
a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1, 2, and 4 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only
The patient interview conducted by the clinician is done in which space?
a. Social space
b. Personal space
c. Intimate space
d. Critical space
ANS: B
Move to the personal space (2 to 4 feet from the patient) to begin the interview.
Which of the following is an example of a leading question?
a. Is your breathing better now?
b. How is your breathing now?
c. When did your breathing change?
d. Where is your pain located?
ANS: A
Asking the patient, “Is your breathing better now?” leads the patient toward a desired response and may elicit false information.
Which of the following are common causes of an increase in the drive to breathe, which would increase the sensation of dyspnea?
1. Hypoxemia
2. Acidosis
3. High fever
4. Hypocapnia
a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only
ANS: D
Increases in the drive to breathe occur with hypoxemia, acidosis, fever, exercise, or anxiety.
What term is used to describe difficult breathing in the reclining position?
a. Orthopnea
b. Platypnea
c. Eupnea
d. Apnea
ANS: A
Dyspnea may be present only when the patient assumes the reclining position, in which case it is referred to as orthopnea.
What term is used to describe shortness of breath in the upright position?
a. Orthopnea
b. Platypnea
c. Eupnea
d. Apnea
ANS: B
Shortness of breath in the upright position is known as platypnea.
Which of the following factors has minimal or no impact on the effectiveness of the patient’s cough?
a. Lung recoil
b. Airways resistance
c. Lung volume
d. Pulmonary vascular resistance
ANS: D
The effectiveness of a cough depends on the individual’s ability to take a deep breath, his or her lung recoil, the strength of his or her expiratory muscles,
and the level of airway resistance.
Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause a dry, nonproductive cough?
a. Chronic bronchitis
b. Cystic fibrosis
c. Pulmonary fibrosis
d. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
ANS: C
For example, a dry, nonproductive cough is typical for restrictive lung diseases such as congestive heart failure or pulmonary fibrosis.
What is the technical term for secretions from the tracheobronchial tree that have not been contaminated by the mouth?
a. Sputum
b. Phlegm
c. Mucus
d. Pus
ANS: B
Technically, mucus from the tracheobronchial tree that has not been contaminated by oral secretions is called phlegm.
What term is used to describe sputum that has pus in it?
a. Fetid
b. Mucoid
c. Purulent
d. Tenacious
ANS: C
Sputum that contains pus cells is said to be purulent, suggesting a bacterial infection.
Which of the following terms is used to describe coughing up blood-streaked sputum?
a. Hematemesis
b. Hemoptysis
c. Hemolysis
d. Hemostasis
ANS: B
Coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum from the lungs is referred to as hemoptysis.
Which of the following characteristics are typical for pleuritic chest pain?
1. Located laterally.
2. Sharp and stabbing in nature.
3. Increases with breathing.
4. Radiates to the arm.
a. 3 and 4 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 4 only
ANS: C
Pleuritic chest pain usually is located laterally or posteriorly. It worsens when the patient takes a deep breath and is described as a sharp, stabbing type of
pain.
What term is used to describe the chest pain associated with blockage of the coronary arteries?
a. Angina
b. Myocarditis
c. Myalgia
d. Infarction
ANS: A
A common cause of nonpleuritic chest pain is angina, which classically is a pressure sensation with exertion or stress and results from coronary artery
What change in the patient’s respiratory breathing pattern is commonly seen with significant fever?
a. Slower rate
b. More rapid rate
c. More prolonged expiratory time
d. More prolonged inspiratory time
ANS: B
The increased need for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal may cause tachypnea.
What is the most common cause of pedal edema?
a. Liver failure
b. Kidney failure
c. Heart failure
d. Electrolyte imbalances
ANS: C
Swelling of the lower extremities is known as pedal edema. It most often occurs with heart failure, which causes an increase in the hydrostatic pressure of
the blood vessels in the lower extremities.
Which of the following are critical elements of a patient’s past medical history?
1. Childhood diseases
2. Prior major illnesses or surgery
3. Marital status
4. Drugs and immunizations
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 4 only
Which of the following are elements of a patient’s social and environmental history?
1. Occupation and employment history
2. Drugs and medications
3. Recent travel
4. Living arrangements
a. 1, 3, and 4 only
b. 1 and 4 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only
Which of the following are associated with diaphoresis?
1. Fever
2. Severe stress
3. Acute anxiety
4. Hemoptysis
a. 2 and 3 only
b. 1 and 4 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only
Which of the following is most commonly associated with tripodding?
a. Severe pulmonary hyperinflation
b. Congestive heart disease
c. Pneumonia
d. Pulmonary fibrosis
Your patient has an abnormal sensorium. Which of the following is most likely true?
a. The patient knows his or her name.
b. The patient is confused about where he or she is.
c. The patient is aware of the correct day.
d. The patient knows the name of the hospital he or she has been taken to.
What structure in the body is responsible for regulating the body temperature?
a. Pituitary gland
b. Thyroid gland
c. Hypothalamus
d. Thymus gland
What is the most common cause of hypothermia?
a. Exposure to cold environment
b. Head injury
c. Stroke
d. Thyroid gland dysfunction
Which of the following sites is closest to core body temperature?
a. Axillary
b. Oral
c. Rectal
d. Forehead
Which of the following is least likely to cause tachycardia?
a. Fever
b. Severe pain
c. Hypotension
d. Hypothermia
Which of the following is a term used to describe a list of all possible causes of a symptom or sign?
a. Environmental factors
b. Differential diagnosis
c. Dyspnea
d. Subjective information
Which of the following is a common cause of pulsus paradoxus?
a. Acute asthma attack
b. Severe pneumonia
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Myocardial infarction
Which of the following are common causes of tachypnea?
1. Hypoxemia
2. Exercise
3. Narcotic overdose
4. Metabolic acidosis
a. 2, 3, and 4 only
b. 1, 2, and 4 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1 and 4 only
What is the normal range for systolic blood pressure in the adult patient?
a. 90 to 140 mm Hg
b. 80 to 100 mm Hg
c. 75 to 100 mm Hg
d. 60 to 100 mm Hg
What is the normal range for diastolic blood pressure in the adult patient?
a. 40 to 80 mm Hg
b. 60 to 90 mm Hg
c. 80 to 110 mm Hg
d. 60 to 110 mm Hg
What is the normal range for pulse pressure?
a. 20 to 35 mm Hg
b. 30 to 60 mm Hg
c. 30 to 40 mm Hg
d. 30 to 60 mm Hg
Which of the following is a true statement about the cause of systemic hypertension in adult patients?
a. The cause is often unknown.
b. The cause is often related to poor diet.
c. The cause is often related to a lack of exercise.
d. The cause is often related to sleep apnea.
Which of the following are causes of hypotension?
1. Heart failure
2. Hypovolemia
3. Mild tachycardia
4. Peripheral vasoconstriction
a. 2 and 4 only
b. 1, 2, and 4 only
c. 3 and 4 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only
What artery is most often used to assess arterial blood pressure?
a. Femoral
b. Radial
c. Ulnar
d. Brachial
Why should the respiratory therapist perform a blood pressure assessment fairly quickly?
a. The procedure is expensive.
b. The procedure cuts off blood flow to the forearm temporarily.
c. The respiratory therapist has other procedures to do.
d. The procedure is billed by the time involved
Which of the following is/are advantages of the digital blood pressure measurement devices?
a. They reduce the risk of human error.
b. They reduce the cost.
c. They have an alarm.
d. They measure blood pressure and stroke volume.
What is indicated by the presence of central cyanosis?
a. Respiratory failure
b. Circulatory failure
c. Anemia
d. Hypotension
What is the advantage of COPD patients breathing through pursed lips during exhalation?
a. Helps the patient focus on breathing.
b. Promotes more complete emptying of the lungs.
c. Reduces the patient’s anxiety level.
d. Improves arterial pH levels
What is the most common cause of jugular venous distention (JVD)?
a. Right-sided heart failure
b. Arterial hypoxemia
c. Tension pneumothorax
d. Acute systemic hypertension
Which of the following is the least likely cause of lymphadenopathy in the neck?
a. Lymphoma
b. Pulmonary infection
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Lung cancer
What disease is associated with a barrel chest?
a. Emphysema
b. Heart failure
c. Pneumonia
d. Pleural effusions
What term is used to describe an abnormal anteroposterior curvature of the spine?
a. Scoliosis
b. Pectus excavatum
c. Kyphosis
d. Pectus carinatum
You observe a patient’s breathing pattern as very irregular and interspersed with long periods of apnea. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this problem?
a. Central nervous system disorder
b. Congestive heart failure
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Increased intracranial pressure
While observing a patient’s breathing, you note that the depth and rate first increase, then decrease, followed by a period of apnea. Which of the following terms would you use in charting this observation?
a. Apneustic breathing
b. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
c. Biot’s breathing
d. Paradoxical breathing
While observing a patient’s breathing, you note that the depth and rate first increase, then decrease, followed by a period of apnea. Which of the following are potential causes of this abnormality?
1. Central nervous system disorder
2. Congestive heart failure
3. Metabolic acidosis
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
What is indicated by retractions?
a. An increase in PaCO2
b. An increase in the work of breathing
c. A decrease in blood flow to the lungs
d. Reduction in lung volumes
What breathing pattern is associated with severe atelectasis?
a. Rapid and deep
b. Rapid and shallow
c. Slow and shallow
d. Slow and deep
A patient with asthma would tend to exhibit which of the following?
a. Prolonged inhalation
b. Slow and shallow breathing
c. Prolonged exhalation
d. Deep and fast breathing
What breathing pattern is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis?
a. Kussmaul breathing
b. Apneustic breathing
c. Biot’s breathing
d. Apnea
What term is used to describe the breathing pattern seen in COPD patients in whom the lower costal margins of the chest wall draw inward with each inspiration?
a. Hoover’s sign
b. Kussmaul’s sign
c. Abdominal paradox sign
d. Respiratory alternans sign
