Respiratory System NCLEX Questions
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Question 1 of 5.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with pneumonia who is having shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Take the client's vital signs.
B. Check the client's pulse oximeter reading.
C. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
D. Notify the respiratory therapist STAT.
Explanation: Administering oxygen (C) is the first intervention for a pneumonia patient with shortness of breath to correct hypoxemia, per the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). Checking pulse oximetry (B) assesses oxygenation but delays treatment. Vital signs (A) and notifying the therapist (D) are secondary to immediate oxygen delivery.
Question 2 of 5.
The school nurse is presenting a class to students at a primary school on how to prevent the transmission of the common cold virus. Which information should the nurse discuss?
A. Instruct the children to always keep a tissue or handkerchief with them.
B. Explain that children current with immunizations will not get a cold.
C. Tell the children they should go to the doctor if they get a cold.
D. Demonstrate to the students how to wash hands correctly.
Explanation: Handwashing (D) is the most effective way to prevent cold transmission. Tissues (A) are secondary, immunizations (B) don’t prevent colds, and doctor visits (C) are unnecessary for most colds.
Question 3 of 5.
The influenza vaccine is in short supply. Which group of clients would the public health nurse consider priority when administering the vaccine?
A. Elderly and chronically ill clients.
B. Child-care workers and children less than four (4) years of age.
C. Hospital chaplains and health-care workers.
D. Schoolteachers and students living in a dormitory.
Explanation: Elderly and chronically ill (A) are at highest risk for flu complications, prioritizing them. Child-care workers/children (B), chaplains/HCWs (C), and teachers/students (D) are secondary.
Question 4 of 5.
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client diagnosed with laryngitis and identifies the client problem 'altered communication.' Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Instruct the client to drink a mixture of brandy and honey several times a day.
B. Encourage the client to whisper instead of trying to speak at a normal level.
C. Provide the client with a blank note pad for writing any communication.
D. Explain that the client's aphonia may become a permanent condition.
Explanation: A note pad (C) facilitates communication during laryngitis-related voice loss. Brandy/honey (A) is unproven, whispering (B) strains vocal cords, and permanent aphonia (D) is unlikely.
Question 5 of 5.
The nurse is planning the care of a client diagnosed with pneumonia and writes a problem of 'impaired gas exchange.' Which is an expected outcome for this problem?
A. Performs chest physiotherapy three (3) times a day.
B. Able to complete activities of daily living.
C. Ambulates in the hall several times during each shift.
D. Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and events.
Explanation: Alert/oriented status (D) indicates improved oxygenation from resolved gas exchange impairment. Physiotherapy (A) is an intervention, ADLs (B) and ambulation (C) are secondary outcomes.