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 3 of 3

  • A. Oropharyngeal airway
  • B. Nasopharyngeal airway
  • C. Tracheostomy tube
  • D. Non-rebreather mask

Explanation: An oropharyngeal airway helps prevent the tongue from obstructing the pharynx in an unconscious patient without a gag reflex.

Correct answer: Oropharyngeal airway
Very hard
  • A. Left side-lying position
  • B. Right side-lying position
  • C. Supine position
  • D. Trendelenburg position

Explanation: The healthy lung is placed down because gravity directs more blood flow to that lung, improving ventilation and perfusion matching.

Correct answer: Right side-lying position
Hard
  • A. Increase the oxygen flow immediately
  • B. Warm the hand and repeat the reading
  • C. Document severe hypoxaemia
  • D. Apply a non-rebreather mask

Explanation: Cold peripheral tissue can reduce pulse oximeter accuracy and produce a falsely low reading.

Correct answer: Warm the hand and repeat the reading
  • A. Nasal cannula
  • B. Simple face mask
  • C. Non-rebreather mask
  • D. Tracheostomy collar

Explanation: A nasal cannula leaves the mouth uncovered, so the patient can communicate and take oral fluids more easily.

Correct answer: Nasal cannula
  • A. Sterile water supplied for medical use
  • B. Tap water from the ward sink
  • C. Normal saline from an opened bottle
  • D. Boiled water kept at the bedside

Explanation: Sterile water helps humidify oxygen while reducing the risk of introducing microorganisms into the system.

Correct answer: Sterile water supplied for medical use
  • A. Lay the cylinder loosely beside the patient
  • B. Secure the cylinder upright in its holder
  • C. Place the cylinder under the patient's bed
  • D. Carry the cylinder by its regulator

Explanation: The cylinder should be secured upright so it cannot fall, become damaged or injure someone.

Correct answer: Secure the cylinder upright in its holder
Very hard
  • A. The ties allow two fingers beneath them
  • B. The ties allow four fingers beneath them
  • C. The ties press tightly into the neck
  • D. The ties are loose enough to slide freely

Explanation: Two fingers should fit between the ties and the neck, providing security without excessive pressure.

Correct answer: The ties allow two fingers beneath them
Moderate
  • A. Continue suctioning until secretions clear
  • B. Stop suctioning and turn the patient to the side
  • C. Instil normal saline through the tracheostomy
  • D. Increase the suction pressure and continue

Explanation: Suctioning must stop immediately when gagging and vomiting occur to reduce trauma and aspiration risk.

Correct answer: Stop suctioning and turn the patient to the side
  • A. It is suitable for an alert patient with a gag reflex
  • B. It helps prevent tongue obstruction in an unconscious patient
  • C. It is inserted through the nose to reach the trachea
  • D. It provides a fixed concentration of inspired oxygen

Explanation: An oropharyngeal airway maintains patency by preventing the tongue from occluding the pharynx in an unconscious patient without a gag…

Correct answer: It helps prevent tongue obstruction in an unconscious patient
  • A. Continue suctioning to remove remaining secretions
  • B. Stop suctioning and provide oxygenation
  • C. Increase suction pressure to shorten the procedure
  • D. Place the patient flat and leave the catheter in place

Explanation: Bradycardia and pallor may result from hypoxia or vagal stimulation during suctioning.

Correct answer: Stop suctioning and provide oxygenation