Free Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care MCQs with Answers
50 Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Airway care includes positioning, suctioning, coughing and deep-breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, oxygen delivery devices and humidification. Questions address indications, flow rates, safety precautions and monitoring for hypoxia or oxygen toxicity, while distinguishing nasal cannula, simple mask, non-rebreather mask and Venturi mask use.
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- A. Nasal cannula
- B. Simple face mask
- C. Non-rebreather mask
- D. Venturi mask
Explanation: A Venturi mask uses interchangeable adapters to deliver a fixed oxygen concentration.
Correct answer: Venturi mask- A. 1 to 6 L/min
- B. 8 to 12 L/min
- C. 12 to 15 L/min
- D. 15 to 20 L/min
Explanation: A standard nasal cannula commonly delivers oxygen at 1 to 6 L/min. Higher flows can cause nasal dryness and do not provide the controlled…
Correct answer: 1 to 6 L/min- A. Increase the flow to at least 5 L/min
- B. Change the mask to a nasal cannula
- C. Remove the oxygen during meals
- D. Place the patient in a flat position
Explanation: A simple face mask generally requires at least 5 L/min to flush exhaled carbon dioxide from the mask.
Correct answer: Increase the flow to at least 5 L/min- A. Apply a non-rebreather mask and assess the response
- B. Offer oral fluids and reassess after 30 minutes
- C. Encourage coughing before providing oxygen
- D. Place the patient in a supine position
Explanation: The findings suggest significant hypoxia, so airway and breathing take priority.
Correct answer: Apply a non-rebreather mask and assess the response- A. Inhale slowly through the mouthpiece and hold the breath briefly
- B. Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece and cough immediately
- C. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece until dizzy
- D. Use the device only when shortness of breath begins
Explanation: The patient should sit upright, seal the lips around the mouthpiece, inhale slowly and deeply, then briefly hold the breath.
Correct answer: Inhale slowly through the mouthpiece and hold the breath briefly- A. Assess breath sounds and oxygenation, then preoxygenate if needed
- B. Give oral fluids to loosen secretions immediately
- C. Insert the catheter while applying continuous suction
- D. Place the patient flat to prevent coughing
Explanation: The nurse assesses the need for suctioning and oxygenation status, and preoxygenates when indicated because suctioning can worsen hypoxia.
Correct answer: Assess breath sounds and oxygenation, then preoxygenate if needed- A. Apply suction while inserting the catheter for 30 seconds
- B. Advance without suction, then apply suction while withdrawing
- C. Use continuous suction while advancing and withdrawing
- D. Instill sterile water routinely before every suction pass
Explanation: The catheter is advanced without suction and suction is applied intermittently while the catheter is withdrawn and rotated.
Correct answer: Advance without suction, then apply suction while withdrawing- A. Use prescribed humidification and apply water-based lubricant if needed
- B. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nostrils after every assessment
- C. Increase the oxygen flow to improve nasal comfort
- D. Remove the oxygen until the irritation resolves
Explanation: Humidification can reduce dryness during prolonged oxygen therapy, and a water-based product may be used around the nares if appropriate.
Correct answer: Use prescribed humidification and apply water-based lubricant if needed- A. Keep oxygen equipment away from flames and avoid smoking nearby
- B. Place alcohol-based hand rub beside the oxygen cylinder
- C. Cover the oxygen outlet with a cotton cloth
- D. Use petroleum ointment on dry lips and nostrils
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, so flames, smoking and ignition sources must be kept away from oxygen equipment.
Correct answer: Keep oxygen equipment away from flames and avoid smoking nearby- A. Encourage upright positioning, deep breathing and directed coughing
- B. Restrict fluids and discourage coughing to reduce fatigue
- C. Keep the patient supine and provide shallow breaths
- D. Give oxygen only and avoid respiratory exercises
Explanation: Upright positioning improves lung expansion, while deep breathing and directed coughing mobilise and remove secretions.
Correct answer: Encourage upright positioning, deep breathing and directed coughing- 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 support12. 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 patientOxygen Therapy and Airway Care MCQs: common questions
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