Chapter 19 Practice Questions - Thorax and Lungs

Question 1

Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The vertebra prominens is:
a. The spinous process of C7.
b. Usually nonpalpable in most individuals.
c. Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d. Located next to the manubrium of the sternum

Answer 1

a. The spinous process of C7.

Question 2

When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices a costal angle of approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic is:
a. Observed in patients with kyphosis.
b. Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c. A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d. An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest.

Answer 2

c. A normal finding in a healthy adult.

Question 3

When assessing a patients lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a. Consists of two lobes.
b. Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c. Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest.
d. Is shorter than the right lung because of the underlying stomach.

Answer 3

a. Consists of two lobes.

Question 4

Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the lungs:
a. Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly.
b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
c. Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally.
d. Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line (MCL)

Answer 4

b. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.

Question 5

During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware that the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the:
a. Costal angle.
b. Sternal angle.
c. Xiphoid process.
d. Suprasternal notch.

Answer 5

b. Sternal angle.

Question 6

During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings in the normal adult lung include
the presence of:
a. Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b. Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d. Absent voice sounds and hyperresonant percussion tones.

Answer 6

c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.

Question 7

The primary muscles of respiration include the:
a. Diaphragm and intercostals.
b. Sternomastoids and scaleni.
c. Trapezii and rectus abdominis.
d. External obliques and pectoralis major

Answer 7

a. Diaphragm and intercostals.

Question 8

A 65-year-old patient with a history of heart failure comes to the clinic with complaints of being awakened from sleep with shortness of breath. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Obtaining a detailed health history of the patients allergies and a history of asthma
b. Telling the patient to sleep on his or her right side to facilitate ease of respirations
c. Assessing for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
d. Assuring the patient that paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is normal and will probably resolve within
the next week

Answer 8

c. Assessing for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Question 9

When assessing tactile fremitus, the nurse recalls that it is normal to feel tactile fremitus most intensely over which location?
a. Between the scapulae
b. Third intercostal space, MCL
c. Fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line (MAL)
d. Over the lower lobes, posterior side

Answer 9

a. Between the scapulae

Question 10

The nurse is reviewing the technique of palpating for tactile fremitus with a new graduate. Which statement
by the graduate nurse reflects a correct understanding of tactile fremitus? Tactile fremitus:
a. Is caused by moisture in the alveoli.
b. Indicates that air is present in the subcutaneous tissues.
c. Is caused by sounds generated from the larynx.
d. Reflects the blood flow through the pulmonary arteries.

Answer 10

c. Is caused by sounds generated from the larynx.

Question 11

During percussion, the nurse knows that a dull percussion note elicited over a lung lobe most likely results from:
a. Shallow breathing.
b. Normal lung tissue.
c. Decreased adipose tissue.
d. Increased density of lung tissue.

Answer 11

d. Increased density of lung tissue.

Question 12

The nurse is observing the auscultation technique of another nurse. The correct method to use when progressing from one auscultatory site on the thorax to another is _______ comparison.
a. Side-to-side
b. Top-to-bottom
c. Posterior-to-anterior
d. Interspace-by-interspace

Answer 12

a. Side-to-side

Question 13

When auscultating the lungs of an adult patient, the nurse notes that low-pitched, soft breath sounds are heard over the posterior lower lobes, with inspiration being longer than expiration. The nurse interprets that these sounds are:
a. Normally auscultated over the trachea.
b. Bronchial breath sounds and normal in that location.
c. Vesicular breath sounds and normal in that location.
d. Bronchovesicular breath sounds and normal in that location.

Answer 13

c. Vesicular breath sounds and normal in that location.

Question 14

The nurse is auscultating the chest in an adult. Which technique is correct?
a. Instructing the patient to take deep, rapid breaths
b. Instructing the patient to breathe in and out through his or her nose
c. Firmly holding the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the chest
d. Lightly holding the bell of the stethoscope against the chest to avoid friction

Answer 14

c. Firmly holding the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the chest

Question 15

The nurse is percussing over the lungs of a patient with pneumonia. The nurse knows that percussion over an area of atelectasis in the lungs will reveal:
a. Dullness.
b. Tympany.
c. Resonance.
d. Hyperresonance.

Answer 15

a. Dullness.

Question 16

During auscultation of the lungs, the nurse expects decreased breath sounds to be heard in which situation?
a. When the bronchial tree is obstructed
b. When adventitious sounds are present
c. In conjunction with whispered pectoriloquy
d. In conditions of consolidation, such as pneumonia

Answer 16

a. When the bronchial tree is obstructed

Question 17

The nurse knows that a normal finding when assessing the respiratory system of an older adult is:
a. Increased thoracic expansion.
b. Decreased mobility of the thorax.
c. Decreased anteroposterior diameter.
d. Bronchovesicular breath sounds throughout the lungs.

Answer 17

b. Decreased mobility of the thorax.

Question 18

A mother brings her 3-month-old infant to the clinic for evaluation of a cold. She tells the nurse that he has had a runny nose for a week. When performing the physical assessment, the nurse notes that the child has nasal flaring and sternal and intercostal retractions. The nurses next action should be to:
a. Assure the mother that these signs are normal symptoms of a cold.
b. Recognize that these are serious signs, and contact the physician.
c. Ask the mother if the infant has had trouble with feedings.
d. Perform a complete cardiac assessment because these signs are probably indicative of early heart failure.

Answer 18

b. Recognize that these are serious signs, and contact the physician.

Question 19

When assessing the respiratory system of a 4-year-old child, which of these findings would the nurse expect?
a. Crepitus palpated at the costochondral junctions
b. No diaphragmatic excursion as a result of a childs decreased inspiratory volume
c. Presence of bronchovesicular breath sounds in the peripheral lung fields
d. Irregular respiratory pattern and a respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute at rest

Answer 19

c. Presence of bronchovesicular breath sounds in the peripheral lung fields

Question 20

When inspecting the anterior chest of an adult, the nurse should include which assessment?
a. Diaphragmatic excursion
b. Symmetric chest expansion
c. Presence of breath sounds
d. Shape and configuration of the chest wall

Answer 20

d. Shape and configuration of the chest wall

Question 21

The nurse knows that auscultation of fine crackles would most likely be noticed in:
a. A healthy 5-year-old child.
b. A pregnant woman.
c. The immediate newborn period.
d. Association with a pneumothorax.

Answer 21

c. The immediate newborn period.

Question 22

During an assessment of an adult, the nurse has noted unequal chest expansion and recognizes that this occurs in which situation?
a. In an obese patient
b. When part of the lung is obstructed or collapsed
c. When bulging of the intercostal spaces is present
d. When accessory muscles are used to augment respiratory effort

Answer 22

b. When part of the lung is obstructed or collapsed

Question 23

During auscultation of the lungs of an adult patient, the nurse notices the presence of bronchophony. The nurse should assess for signs of which condition?
a. Airway obstruction
b. Emphysema
c. Pulmonary consolidation
d. Asthma

Answer 23

c. Pulmonary consolidation

Question 24

The nurse is reviewing the characteristics of breath sounds. Which statement about bronchovesicular breath sounds is true? Bronchovesicular breath sounds are:
a. Musical in quality.
b. Usually caused by a pathologic disease.
c. Expected near the major airways.
d. Similar to bronchial sounds except shorter in duration.

Answer 24

c. Expected near the major airways.

Question 25

The nurse is listening to the breath sounds of a patient with severe asthma. Air passing through narrowed bronchioles would produce which of these adventitious sounds?
a. Wheezes
b. Bronchial sounds
c. Bronchophony
d. Whispered pectoriloquy

Answer 25

a. Wheezes

Question 26

A patient has a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the assessment, the nurse will most likely observe which of these?
a. Unequal chest expansion
b. Increased tactile fremitus
c. Atrophied neck and trapezius muscles
d. Anteroposterior-to-transverse diameter ratio of 1:1

Answer 26

d. Anteroposterior-to-transverse diameter ratio of 1:1

Question 27

A teenage patient comes to the emergency department with complaints of an inability to breathe and a sharp pain in the left side of his chest. The assessment findings include cyanosis, tachypnea, tracheal deviation to the right, decreased tactile fremitus on the left, hyperresonance on the left, and decreased breath sounds on the left. The nurse interprets that these assessment findings are consistent with:
a. Bronchitis.
b. Pneumothorax.
c. Acute pneumonia.
d. Asthmatic attack.

Answer 27

b. Pneumothorax.

Question 28

An adult patient with a history of allergies comes to the clinic complaining of wheezing and difficulty in breathing when working in his yard. The assessment findings include tachypnea, the use of accessory neck muscles, prolonged expiration, intercostal retractions, decreased breath sounds, and expiratory wheezes. The nurse interprets that these assessment findings are consistent with:
a. Asthma.
b. Atelectasis.
c. Lobar pneumonia.
d. Heart failure.

Answer 28

a. Asthma.

Question 29

The nurse is assessing the lungs of an older adult. Which of these changes are normal in the respiratory system of the older adult?
a. Severe dyspnea is experienced on exertion, resulting from changes in the lungs.
b. Respiratory muscle strength increases to compensate for a decreased vital capacity.
c. Decrease in small airway closure occurs, leading to problems with atelectasis.
d. Lungs are less elastic and distensible, which decreases their ability to collapse and recoil.

Answer 29

d. Lungs are less elastic and distensible, which decreases their ability to collapse and recoil.

Question 30

A woman in her 26th week of pregnancy states that she is not really short of breath but feels that she is aware of her breathing and the need to breathe. What is the nurses best reply?
a. The diaphragm becomes fixed during pregnancy, making it difficult to take in a deep breath.
b. The increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy often causes a decrease in the diameter of the rib cage and makes it difficult to breathe.
c. What you are experiencing is normal. Some women may interpret this as shortness of breath, but it is a normal finding and nothing is wrong.
d. This increased awareness of the need to breathe is normal as the fetus grows because of the increased oxygen demand on the mothers body, which results in an increased respiratory rat

Answer 30

c. What you are experiencing is normal. Some women may interpret this as shortness of breath, but it is a normal finding and nothing is wrong.

Question 31

A 35-year-old recent immigrant is being seen in the clinic for complaints of a cough that is associated with rust-colored sputum, low-grade afternoon fevers, and night sweats for the past 2 months. The nurses preliminary analysis, based on this history, is that this patient may be suffering from:
a. Bronchitis.
b. Pneumonia.
c. Tuberculosis.
d. Pulmonary edema

Answer 31

c. Tuberculosis.

Question 32

A 70-year-old patient is being seen in the clinic for severe exacerbation of his heart failure. Which of these findings is the nurse most likely to observe in this patient?
a. Shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and ankle edema
b. Rasping cough, thick mucoid sputum, wheezing, and bronchitis
c. Productive cough, dyspnea, weight loss, anorexia, and tuberculosis
d. Fever, dry nonproductive cough, and diminished breath sounds

Answer 32

a. Shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and ankle edema

Question 33

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of a cough that is worse at night but not as bad during the day. The nurse recognizes that this cough may indicate:
a. Pneumonia.
b. Postnasal drip or sinusitis.
c. Exposure to irritants at work.
d. Chronic bronchial irritation from smoking.

Answer 33

b. Postnasal drip or sinusitis.

Question 34

During a morning assessment, the nurse notices that the patients sputum is frothy and pink. Which condition could this finding indicate?
a. Croup
b. Tuberculosis
c. Viral infection
d. Pulmonary edema

Answer 34

d. Pulmonary edema

Question 35

During auscultation of breath sounds, the nurse should correctly use the stethoscope in which of the following ways?
a. Listening to at least one full respiration in each location
b. Listening as the patient inhales and then going to the next site during exhalation
c. Instructing the patient to breathe in and out rapidly while listening to the breath sounds
d. If the patient is modest, listening to sounds over his or her clothing or hospital gown

Answer 35

a. Listening to at least one full respiration in each location

Question 36

A patient has been admitted to the emergency department with a possible medical diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The nurse expects to see which assessment findings related to this condition?
a. Absent or decreased breath sounds
b. Productive cough with thin, frothy sputum
c. Chest pain that is worse on deep inspiration and dyspnea
d. Diffuse infiltrates with areas of dullness upon percussion

Answer 36

c. Chest pain that is worse on deep inspiration and dyspnea

Question 37

During palpation of the anterior chest wall, the nurse notices a coarse, crackling sensation over the skin surface. On the basis of these findings, the nurse suspects:
a. Tactile fremitus.
b. Crepitus.
c. Friction rub.
d. Adventitious sounds.

Answer 37

b. Crepitus.

Question 38

The nurse is auscultating the lungs of a patient who had been sleeping and notices short, popping, crackling sounds that stop after a few breaths. The nurse recognizes that these breath sounds are:
a. Atelectatic crackles that do not have a pathologic cause.
b. Fine crackles and may be a sign of pneumonia.
c. Vesicular breath sounds.
d. Fine wheezes

Answer 38

a. Atelectatic crackles that do not have a pathologic cause.

Question 39

A patient has been admitted to the emergency department for a suspected drug overdose. His respirations
are shallow, with an irregular pattern, with a rate of 12 respirations per minute. The nurse interprets this respiration pattern as which of the following?
a. Bradypnea
b. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
c. Hypoventilation
d. Chronic obstructive breathing

Answer 39

c. Hypoventilation

Question 40

A patient with pleuritis has been admitted to the hospital and complains of pain with breathing. What other key assessment finding would the nurse expect to find upon auscultation?
a. Stridor
b. Friction rub
c. Crackles
d. Wheezing

Answer 40

b. Friction rub

Question 41

The nurse is assessing voice sounds during a respiratory assessment. Which of these findings indicates a normal assessment? Select all that apply.
a. Voice sounds are faint, muffled, and almost inaudible when the patient whispers one, two, three in a very soft voice.
b. As the patient repeatedly says ninety-nine, the examiner clearly hears the words ninety-nine.
c. When the patient speaks in a normal voice, the examiner can hear a sound but cannot exactly distinguish what is being said.
d. As the patient says a long ee-ee-ee sound, the examiner also hears a long ee-ee-ee sound.
e. As the patient says a long ee-ee-ee sound, the examiner hears a long aaaaaa sound.

Answer 41

a. Voice sounds are faint, muffled, and almost inaudible when the patient whispers one, two, three in

c. When the patient speaks in a normal voice, the examiner can hear a sound but cannot exactly

d. As the patient says a long ee-ee-ee sound, the examiner also hears a long ee-ee-ee sound.