NCLEX-PN : Respiratory Conditions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX-PN

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Example Questions

Example Question #864 : Nclex

At what stage are antibiotics effective in treatment of pertussis?

Possible Answers:

Up to 8 weeks

Up to 2 weeks

Up to 6 weeks

Up to 4 weeks

Correct answer:

Up to 4 weeks

Explanation:

Antibiotics have been shown to have very little effectiveness in treating a pertussis infection older than four weeks. Because of this, treatment with antibiotics to individuals that have been symptomatic for longer than four weeks is not generally recommended.

Example Question #61 : Conditions And Treatments

A client is admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The client has a recent history of bacterial pneumonia that has worsened and is at risk for hypoxemia. 

All of the following interventions apply to treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) except __________.

Possible Answers:

an arterial catheter may be inserted to allow for blood pressure monitoring and ABG (arterial blood gas) blood sampling

daily weight should be taken to monitor fluid status

parenteral or enteral feeding will be necessary to meet high energy demands

client may be placed in the prone position to increase the PaO2

the client should be given the highest concentration of oxygen that will yield a PaO2 of 60 mmHg or greater

Correct answer:

the client should be given the highest concentration of oxygen that will yield a PaO2 of 60 mmHg or greater

Explanation:

The oxygen concentration should be the lowest possible, due to the risk of oxygen toxicity seen in clients with FIO(fraction of inspired oxygen) levels exceeding 60% for more than 48 hours. 

Example Question #62 : Conditions And Treatments

A young male presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. Upon examination it is found that the client will require a chest tube to re-inflate his collapsed lung. 

All of the following correctly describe how a chest tube is placed except which of these?

Possible Answers:

If performed at bedside sterile technique must be utilized.

A common location utilized for insertion is the fifth intercostal - midaxillary line.

If air is to be removed the chest tube is placed inferiorly and posteriorly.  

During insertion the tubes are to be clamped, once in the plural space they are connected and unclamped at that time. 

After placement, the tube is sutured to the chest wall and a dressing applied. 

Correct answer:

If air is to be removed the chest tube is placed inferiorly and posteriorly.  

Explanation:

The correct placement of tubing includes directing a tube apically to remove air from the pleural space, and to direct the tube that will drain fluids in an inferior and posterior orientation. 

Example Question #2 : Causes And Treatments Of Respiratory Conditions

A 45 year old male with COPD presents to the hospital with an exacerbation of his lung condition. He is in respiratory distress and the physician recommends he sit leaning forward. What is the purpose of sitting like this?

Possible Answers:

To prevent falling

To help exhale air

To help inhale air

To prevent loss of consciousness

To easily cough out secretions

Correct answer:

To help exhale air

Explanation:

COPD is a chronic lung condition marked by air trapping. Patients with COPD are instructed to sit in the "tripod" position to help them exhale air. Patients sit and lean forward to help maximize air exiting from the lungs.

Example Question #3 : Causes And Treatments Of Respiratory Conditions

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of albuterol inhalers during an asthma exacerbation?

Possible Answers:

Beta adrenergic antagonist

Alpha adrenergic agonist

Beta adrenergic agonist

None of these

Alpha adrenergic antagonist

Correct answer:

Beta adrenergic agonist

Explanation:

Albuterol is a beta adrenergic agonist. It helps to open up the airways during an asthma exacerbation by activating the beta adrenergic receptors, part of the sympathetic nervous system. Side effects include increased heart rate.

Example Question #6 : Causes And Treatments Of Respiratory Conditions

What is the inspiratory reserve volume?

Possible Answers:

The amount of air that can be exhaled after normal inhalation

The amount of air that can be inhaled after normal inhalation

The normal amount of air that is inhaled with each breath

The amount of air available in the lungs after exhalation

The total amount of air the lung can contain

Correct answer:

The amount of air that can be inhaled after normal inhalation

Explanation:

The inspiratory reserve volume for the average adult is roughly 3100mL. It is tested using pulmonary function tests. The inspiratory reserve volume is the amount of air able to be inhaled after a regular inhalation. This is in contrast to the expiratory reserve volume, which is the amount of air that can be exhaled after a regular exhalation.

Example Question #63 : Conditions And Treatments

Which of the following side effects would you most likely expect when providing an asthmatic patient with continuous nebulizer therapy?

Possible Answers:

Pinpoint pupils

Hypothermia

Hyperthermia

Bradycardia

Tachycardia

Correct answer:

Tachycardia

Explanation:

Asthma is treated with albuterol. This drug is a beta-2 agonist, which works to relax smooth muscle in the lungs, and open up the airways. A consequence of this drug is the beta-2 effects on the heart. Beta-2 on the heart causes an increase in heart rate (tachycardia) and is a common side effect seen in the treatment of asthmatics.

Example Question #871 : Nclex

You are a pulmonology nurse taking care of a patient who complains of episodic wheezing. You perform a diagnostic test in which you perform pulmonary function tests on the patient before, and after administering albuterol, a beta-2 adrenergic agonist. You note that the patient's symptoms and FEV1 readings improve drastically with bronchodilator administration. Based upon these findings, the patient most likely has which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Lung Cancer

Sarcoidosis

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Throat Cancer

Asthma

Correct answer:

Asthma

Explanation:

The correct answer is "Asthma." This answer is correct because asthma is an inflammatory airway condition that is characteristically improved symptomatically and quantitatively (in terms of pulmonary function tests, including FEV1 readings) with bronchodilator administration (e.g. albuterol, the beta-2 adrenergic agonist administered in this patient). In this patient who presented for evaluation of wheezing, a characteristic symptom of asthma, his substantial response to bronchodilator administration makes the likelihood of an asthma diagnosis very high. 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an obstructive physiology of the airways often due to chronic tobacco smoking. While bronchodilators may be of some clinical value in these patients, their FEV1 readings characteristically do not correct after bronchodilator administration, as this is a major method in which COPD can be distinguished from asthma and other inflammatory airway conditions. 

Sarcoidosis, lung cancer, and throat cancer symptoms would not necessarily improve with bronchodilator administration, nor would pulmonary function test readings in patients with these conditions.

Example Question #877 : Nclex

A 45-year old obese male with a history of obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease presents to your primary care clinic for help in managing his fatigue due to his sleep apnea. He is not a candidate for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Which of the following interventions would be the best recommendation to treat his obstructive sleep apnea?

Possible Answers:

Insulin

Tamsulosin

Metoprolol

Metformin

Continuous positive airway pressure mask (CPAP)

Correct answer:

Continuous positive airway pressure mask (CPAP)

Explanation:

The correct answer is "continuous positive airway pressure mask (CPAP)." This is the correct answer as a CPAP mask helps to force airway into the lungs that is otherwise obstructed by the patient's oropharyngeal anatomy at standard breathing pressures due to obstructive sleep apnea. When wearing a CPAP mask (typically when sleeping), snoring is reduced, and oxygenation is improved, allowing patients to have a more restful sleep and feel less fatigued the following day. 

While medications like metoprolol, insulin, and metformin may be beneficial to the patient in treating his conditions co-morbid to obstructive sleep apnea, they do not have a direct effect on treating his sleep apnea or the resultant fatigue.

Tamsulosin is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia among other conditions, but not obstructive sleep apnea. 

Example Question #1 : Symptoms And Tests For Respiratory Conditions

Which of the following best describes a diagnosis of uncomplicated or simple silicosis?
Possible Answers:
Normal pulmonary function but shortness of breath
Massive pulmonary fibrosis visible on chest x-ray, but no extrapulmonary symptoms
Mild ventilation restriction and fibrosis on chest x-ray
Silica in the bloodstream but no clinical symptoms
Correct answer: Mild ventilation restriction and fibrosis on chest x-ray
Explanation: Simple silicosis results in mild ventilation restriction and fibrosis on chest x-ray. Simple silicosis often results from long-term exposure to relatively low concentrations of silica dust, where symptoms usually appear 10-30 years after exposure.
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