Respiratory NCLEX Questions
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Question 1 of 5.
Which intervention should the emergency department nurse implement first for the client admitted for an acute asthma attack?
A. Administer glucocorticoids intravenously.
B. Administer oxygen 5 L per nasal cannula.
C. Establish and maintain a 20-gauge saline lock.
D. Assess breath sounds every 15 minutes.
Explanation: In an acute asthma attack, the priority is to address hypoxia. Administering oxygen (B) ensures adequate oxygenation, which is critical in respiratory distress. IV glucocorticoids (A) reduce inflammation but act slowly and are not the first intervention. Establishing a saline lock (C) is preparatory but not immediate. Assessing breath sounds (D) is important but secondary to ensuring oxygenation.
Question 2 of 5.
The home health-care nurse is talking on the telephone to a male client diagnosed with hypertension and hears the client sneezing. The client tells the nurse he has been blowing his nose frequently. Which question should the nurse ask the client?
A. Have you had the flu shot in the last two (2) weeks?
B. Are there any small children in the home?
C. Are you taking over-the-counter medicine for these symptoms?
D. Do you have any cold sores associated with your sneezing?
Explanation: Sneezing and nasal discharge suggest a URI; asking about OTC medications (C) assesses self-treatment and potential interactions. Flu shot timing (A) is irrelevant, children (B) are secondary, and cold sores (D) relate to herpes, not URI.
Question 3 of 5.
The client diagnosed with tonsillitis is scheduled to have surgery in the morning. Which assessment data should the nurse notify the health-care provider about prior to surgery?
A. The client has a hemoglobin of 12.2 g/dL and hematocrit of 36.5%.
B. The client has an oral temperature of 100.2°F and a dry cough.
C. There are one (1) to two (2) white blood cells (WBCs) in the urinalysis.
D. The client's current international normalized ratio (INR) is 1.
Explanation: Fever (100.2°F) and cough (B) suggest infection, a surgical risk requiring HCP notification. Hb/Hct (A) are near normal, WBCs in urine (C) are insignificant, and INR 1 (D) is normal.
Question 4 of 5.
The client diagnosed with influenza A is being discharged from the emergency department with a prescription for antibiotics. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of this prescription?
A. These pills will make me feel better fast and I can return to work.
B. The antibiotics will help prevent me from developing a bacterial pneumonia.
C. If I had gotten this prescription sooner, I could have prevented this illness.
D. I need to take these pills until I feel better; then I can stop taking the rest.
Explanation: Antibiotics for influenza (B) prevent secondary bacterial pneumonia, not treat the virus. Quick recovery (A), prevention (C), and stopping early (D) are incorrect.
Question 5 of 5.
The nurse is assessing a 79-year-old client diagnosed with pneumonia. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse expect to assess in the client?
A. Confusion and lethargy.
B. High fever and chills.
C. Frothy sputum and edema.
D. Bradypnea and jugular vein distention.
Explanation: Elderly pneumonia patients often present with confusion/lethargy (A) due to hypoxia. Fever/chills (B) are less common in the elderly, frothy sputum/edema (C) suggest heart failure, and bradypnea/JVD (D) are unrelated.