All Free Fundamentals of Nursing MCQs with Answers
Every Fundamentals of Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
500 questions · page 19 of 25
- A. Supine with the legs elevated
- B. High Fowler position with support
- C. Prone with the head turned
- D. Trendelenburg position with knees flexed
Explanation: High Fowler position lowers abdominal pressure on the diaphragm and allows better chest expansion.
Correct answer: High Fowler position with support362. Which finding in a patient receiving oxygen therapy most strongly suggests possible oxygen toxicity?
- A. Mild nasal dryness after one hour
- B. Burning substernal chest pain with dry cough
- C. Slightly increased appetite during treatment
- D. Warm hands after oxygen is started
Explanation: A dry cough, substernal discomfort and worsening respiratory symptoms may occur with prolonged exposure to high oxygen concentrations.
Correct answer: Burning substernal chest pain with dry cough- A. Apply suction continuously for two minutes
- B. Preoxygenate the patient before suctioning
- C. Instill large amounts of saline routinely
- D. Place the patient flat before suctioning
Explanation: Preoxygenation increases the oxygen reserve before the brief suction procedure.
Correct answer: Preoxygenate the patient before suctioning- A. Take rapid shallow breaths through the mouth
- B. Inhale slowly through the nose and exhale slowly
- C. Hold each breath only while coughing
- D. Breathe normally without expanding the chest
Explanation: Slow deep inhalation expands the alveoli and helps prevent atelectasis, while slow exhalation promotes controlled ventilation.
Correct answer: Inhale slowly through the nose and exhale slowly- A. Nasal cannula
- B. Simple face mask
- C. Non-rebreather mask
- D. Venturi mask
Explanation: A non-rebreather mask can deliver a high oxygen concentration when the reservoir bag remains partially inflated during inspiration.
Correct answer: Non-rebreather mask- A. The simple mask has a reservoir bag and one-way valves
- B. The simple mask can deliver the highest oxygen concentration
- C. The simple mask has no reservoir bag or one-way valves
- D. The simple mask is used only with mechanical ventilation
Explanation: A simple face mask delivers oxygen through the mask without a reservoir bag and one-way valve system.
Correct answer: The simple mask has no reservoir bag or one-way valves- A. Remove the mask and leave the patient on room air
- B. Reapply the prescribed mask and assess the patient
- C. Change the mask to a nasal cannula without an order
- D. Increase the oxygen flow above the marked setting
Explanation: Reapplying the prescribed device restores the ordered oxygen concentration, followed by assessment of breathing and oxygen saturation.
Correct answer: Reapply the prescribed mask and assess the patient- A. I will splint my incision when I cough
- B. I will avoid coughing to protect my incision
- C. I will take shallow breaths until pain stops
- D. I will lie flat while practising each exercise
Explanation: Supporting the incision with a pillow can reduce discomfort and help the patient cough effectively.
Correct answer: I will splint my incision when I cough- A. Offer oral fluids and reassess after one hour
- B. Assess airway patency and prepare for suctioning
- C. Place the patient in a flat position for comfort
- D. Remove the tracheostomy tube immediately
Explanation: Noisy breathing and visible secretions may indicate partial airway obstruction, so airway patency and the need for suctioning must be…
Correct answer: Assess airway patency and prepare for suctioning- A. Drain the water away from the patient
- B. Pour the water back into the humidifier
- C. Increase the oxygen flow to clear the tubing
- D. Place the water directly into the mask
Explanation: Condensed water should be drained away from the patient because it can obstruct flow or enter the airway.
Correct answer: Drain the water away from the patient- A. Supine with the neck flexed forward
- B. Side-lying with the head turned slightly
- C. Prone with the face turned downward
- D. Sitting with the chin pressed to the chest
Explanation: Side-lying helps the tongue fall forward and allows secretions to drain from the mouth.
Correct answer: Side-lying with the head turned slightly- A. Clear speech and a dry mouth
- B. Strong cough with clear sputum
- C. Gurgling respirations with pooled secretions
- D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
Explanation: Gurgling respirations and visible or pooled secretions suggest that the patient cannot clear the airway effectively.
Correct answer: Gurgling respirations with pooled secretions373. When teaching a postoperative patient to cough effectively, which instruction should the nurse give?
- A. Take a shallow breath and cough once
- B. Take a deep breath, then cough two or three times
- C. Breathe rapidly before coughing forcefully
- D. Suppress the cough to reduce wound discomfort
Explanation: A deep breath increases lung volume, and controlled coughing helps move secretions toward the larger airways.
Correct answer: Take a deep breath, then cough two or three times- A. Apply suction continuously while inserting the device
- B. Apply suction while withdrawing the device from the mouth
- C. Insert the device beyond the patient's gag reflex
- D. Use the device for several minutes without pausing
Explanation: Suction is applied while the Yankauer is withdrawn and moved around the mouth, which helps remove secretions while limiting tissue trauma.
Correct answer: Apply suction while withdrawing the device from the mouth- A. A patient with an uncomplicated minor skin wound
- B. A patient after upper abdominal surgery who takes shallow breaths
- C. A patient with severe airway obstruction needing immediate suction
- D. A patient with active nasal bleeding and unstable vital signs
Explanation: Upper abdominal surgery and shallow breathing increase the risk of atelectasis, and incentive spirometry encourages sustained lung…
Correct answer: A patient after upper abdominal surgery who takes shallow breaths- A. Reduce the oxygen flow until the bag remains empty
- B. Increase the oxygen flow so the reservoir stays partly inflated
- C. Remove the mask and place the patient on room air
- D. Cover the exhalation ports to prevent oxygen loss
Explanation: The reservoir bag should remain partially inflated during inspiration so the patient can receive the prescribed high oxygen concentration.
Correct answer: Increase the oxygen flow so the reservoir stays partly inflated- A. The patient's appetite after the meal
- B. The patient's level of consciousness and respiratory pattern
- C. The patient's skin temperature of the hands
- D. The patient's ability to hear ordinary speech
Explanation: Excessive oxygen in susceptible patients can worsen ventilation and carbon dioxide retention, causing drowsiness, confusion, and…
Correct answer: The patient's level of consciousness and respiratory pattern- A. The patient becomes less restless and oxygen saturation rises
- B. The patient reports increased thirst and a dry mouth
- C. The patient develops redness behind both ears
- D. The patient coughs once after the mask is applied
Explanation: Improved oxygen saturation together with reduced restlessness suggests better tissue oxygenation.
Correct answer: The patient becomes less restless and oxygen saturation rises- A. Allow the patient to remove oxygen during the transfer
- B. Check the portable oxygen supply before leaving the ward
- C. Place the oxygen cylinder loosely on the patient's bed
- D. Apply petroleum jelly around the patient's nostrils
Explanation: The nurse should verify that the portable cylinder contains enough oxygen and that the regulator and tubing function before transport.
Correct answer: Check the portable oxygen supply before leaving the ward- A. The bottle contains sterile water up to the marked level
- B. The tubing is connected firmly to the oxygen outlet
- C. The water level is above the maximum line
- D. The patient has less dryness in the nose and throat
Explanation: Overfilling the humidifier can allow water to enter the tubing and interfere with oxygen delivery or reach the patient.
Correct answer: The water level is above the maximum line