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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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- 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 secretions23. 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Explanation: Suction is applied while the Yankauer is withdrawn and moved around the mouth, which helps remove secretions while limiting tissue trauma.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- A. Check the patient's blood glucose level
- B. Assess respiratory rate and level of consciousness
- C. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
- D. Place the patient in a supine position
Explanation: Drowsiness with slow, shallow breathing may indicate hypoventilation and carbon dioxide retention.
Correct answer: Assess respiratory rate and level of consciousness32. During airway suctioning, how long should each suction attempt generally last in an adult patient?
- A. No longer than 10 to 15 seconds
- B. Approximately 30 to 45 seconds
- C. Until all secretions are removed
- D. For at least 60 seconds each time
Explanation: An adult suction attempt should usually be limited to about 10 to 15 seconds to reduce hypoxaemia, mucosal injury and cardiac…
Correct answer: No longer than 10 to 15 seconds- A. Allow the patient to rest and reoxygenate
- B. Place the catheter back into the airway immediately
- C. Keep suction applied while the patient coughs
- D. Ask the patient to hold the breath for one minute
Explanation: Rest periods allow the patient to recover oxygenation and reduce fatigue before another attempt.
Correct answer: Allow the patient to rest and reoxygenate- A. Keep the air-entrainment ports uncovered
- B. Cover the side ports with sterile gauze
- C. Attach a reservoir bag to the mask
- D. Change the prescribed adapter to increase flow
Explanation: The Venturi mask entrains room air through its side ports to deliver the selected oxygen concentration.
Correct answer: Keep the air-entrainment ports uncovered- A. Use a jaw-thrust manoeuvre
- B. Tilt the head and lift the chin
- C. Flex the neck toward the chest
- D. Turn the patient prone immediately
Explanation: The jaw-thrust manoeuvre opens the airway while minimising movement of the cervical spine.
Correct answer: Use a jaw-thrust manoeuvre- A. Remove it and use a water-based product if needed
- B. Leave it in place because it prevents oxygen dryness
- C. Cover it with a dry gauze dressing
- D. Apply additional petroleum jelly to protect the skin
Explanation: Petroleum-based products can support combustion in an oxygen-rich environment.
Correct answer: Remove it and use a water-based product if needed- A. I will keep oxygen away from flames and smoking
- B. I can use an electric heating pad beside the oxygen
- C. I may adjust the oxygen flow whenever I feel breathless
- D. I should store oxygen cylinders lying loose on the floor
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, so flames, smoking and other ignition sources must be avoided.
Correct answer: I will keep oxygen away from flames and smoking- A. Administer prescribed analgesia before breathing exercises
- B. Restrict oral fluids until the breathing improves
- C. Keep the patient flat to reduce abdominal movement
- D. Discourage coughing to protect the incision
Explanation: Adequate pain relief helps the patient breathe deeply, cough and mobilise secretions.
Correct answer: Administer prescribed analgesia before breathing exercises- A. Call for emergency assistance and assess airway patency
- B. Offer oral fluids to loosen the obstruction
- C. Place a speaking valve over the tracheostomy
- D. Remove the oxygen source from the bedside
Explanation: Absent airflow with respiratory distress suggests a potentially blocked or displaced tracheostomy and is an airway emergency.
Correct answer: Call for emergency assistance and assess airway patency- A. Take a deep breath, then cough strongly twice
- B. Take rapid shallow breaths and avoid coughing
- C. Cough continuously until the chest feels empty
- D. Swallow secretions after each shallow breath
Explanation: A deep breath followed by one or two controlled coughs increases airflow behind secretions and helps move them toward the upper airway.
Correct answer: Take a deep breath, then cough strongly twice