Free Respiratory Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Respiratory Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers nursing assessment and management of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural disorders and respiratory failure. Key areas include breath sounds, oxygen therapy, airway suctioning, inhaled medicines, arterial blood gases and the difference between hypoxia, hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position and administer prescribed oxygen
- B. Encourage the patient to lie flat and rest quietly
- C. Offer oral fluids before giving respiratory medicines
- D. Begin chest percussion over the affected lung area
Explanation: High-Fowler positioning improves lung expansion, while prescribed oxygen supports breathing during the acute attack.
Correct answer: Place the patient in a high-Fowler position and administer prescribed oxygen- A. Wheeze
- B. Pleural friction rub
- C. Bronchial breathing
- D. Absent breath sounds
Explanation: A wheeze is a musical, continuous sound caused by narrowed airways, as occurs in asthma.
Correct answer: Wheeze- A. Apply prescribed controlled oxygen and reassess the patient
- B. Withhold oxygen because it may suppress breathing
- C. Ask the patient to breathe into a paper bag
- D. Place the patient flat and encourage sleep
Explanation: The nurse should provide controlled oxygen as prescribed and closely reassess respiratory status, because hypoxemia is an immediate…
Correct answer: Apply prescribed controlled oxygen and reassess the patient- A. The patient reports pleuritic chest discomfort
- B. The patient has a temperature of 38.3°C
- C. The patient is confused and remains severely hypoxemic
- D. The patient has a productive cough with yellow sputum
Explanation: Confusion with severe hypoxemia indicates inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain and possible respiratory failure.
Correct answer: The patient is confused and remains severely hypoxemic- A. Preoxygenate the patient and apply suction while withdrawing the catheter
- B. Advance the catheter while continuous suction is applied
- C. Apply suction for 30 seconds during each catheter pass
- D. Instil routine sterile water before every suction pass
Explanation: Preoxygenation reduces the risk of hypoxemia, and suction is applied during withdrawal rather than insertion.
Correct answer: Preoxygenate the patient and apply suction while withdrawing the catheter- A. I will rinse my mouth after using this inhaler
- B. I will use it only when a sudden attack begins
- C. I will stop it once my breathing feels normal
- D. I will expect it to provide immediate bronchodilation
Explanation: Rinsing the mouth after an inhaled corticosteroid helps prevent oral candidiasis and hoarseness.
Correct answer: I will rinse my mouth after using this inhaler- A. Place the patient in an airborne infection isolation room and use a fit-tested respirator
- B. Place the patient in a standard room and use only a surgical mask
- C. Use contact precautions with gown and gloves for every interaction
- D. Keep the patient in a positive-pressure room with no respiratory protection
Explanation: Pulmonary tuberculosis spreads through airborne particles, so airborne precautions, appropriate ventilation and a fit-tested respirator…
Correct answer: Place the patient in an airborne infection isolation room and use a fit-tested respirator- A. Position the patient upright and monitor respiratory status
- B. Place the patient flat with the affected side uppermost
- C. Encourage forceful coughing every five minutes
- D. Apply pressure over the affected chest wall
Explanation: An upright position promotes lung expansion and eases ventilation while the patient is assessed for worsening distress.
Correct answer: Position the patient upright and monitor respiratory status- A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
- B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
- C. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
- D. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
Explanation: The low pH shows acidosis, and the raised PaCO2 identifies a respiratory cause.
Correct answer: Uncompensated respiratory acidosis- A. Call for emergency assistance and prepare for immediate chest decompression
- B. Encourage incentive spirometry and reassess in one hour
- C. Place the patient in a flat position and give oral fluids
- D. Apply a warm compress and continue routine observations
Explanation: Tension pneumothorax can rapidly obstruct venous return and cause obstructive shock, so emergency assistance and immediate decompression…
Correct answer: Call for emergency assistance and prepare for immediate chest decompression- A. A reduced oxygen level in arterial blood
- B. A reduced oxygen level in body tissues
- C. An increased carbon dioxide level in blood
- D. An increased respiratory rate during exercise
Explanation: Hypoxemia means decreased oxygen concentration in arterial blood, usually assessed by PaO2 or oxygen saturation.
Correct answer: A reduced oxygen level in arterial blood- A. Pursed-lip breathing during exhalation
- B. Rapid shallow breathing through the mouth
- C. Breath holding after every inhalation
- D. Forceful coughing after every breath
Explanation: Pursed-lip breathing slows exhalation and helps keep small airways open, reducing air trapping.
Correct answer: Pursed-lip breathing during exhalation- A. Mild tremor and increased heart rate
- B. Severe constipation and urinary retention
- C. Yellow vision and hearing loss
- D. Profound sedation and slow breathing
Explanation: Salbutamol is a short-acting beta2 agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle.
Correct answer: Mild tremor and increased heart rate- A. Encourage fluids if not contraindicated
- B. Keep the patient flat in bed
- C. Restrict fluids to reduce sputum
- D. Give a sedative before coughing
Explanation: Adequate hydration helps thin respiratory secretions, making them easier to expectorate.
Correct answer: Encourage fluids if not contraindicated- A. Rinse the mouth with water, then cough deeply into the sterile container
- B. Collect saliva after brushing the teeth into a routine cup
- C. Take the specimen after eating a large breakfast
- D. Leave the open container beside the patient's bed overnight
Explanation: Deep coughing produces sputum from the lower respiratory tract, while saliva is not an adequate specimen for tuberculosis testing.
Correct answer: Rinse the mouth with water, then cough deeply into the sterile container- A. Increase the flow to at least 5 L per minute
- B. Change immediately to a non-rebreather mask
- C. Remove the mask and use room air
- D. Place a paper bag over the mask
Explanation: A simple face mask generally requires a minimum flow of about 5 L per minute to prevent rebreathing exhaled carbon dioxide.
Correct answer: Increase the flow to at least 5 L per minute- A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
- B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
- C. Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
- D. Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
Explanation: The high pH shows alkalemia and the low PaCO2 identifies a respiratory cause.
Correct answer: Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis- A. Straighten the tubing and reassess the patient
- B. Clamp the tube close to the chest
- C. Strip the tubing forcefully toward the drainage unit
- D. Disconnect the tubing and leave it open to air
Explanation: A kink can obstruct chest drainage and prevent air from leaving the pleural space.
Correct answer: Straighten the tubing and reassess the patient19. Which finding most strongly suggests carbon dioxide retention in a patient with respiratory disease?
- A. Increasing drowsiness with a bounding pulse
- B. Pins and needles around the mouth with anxiety
- C. Bright red sputum after vigorous coughing
- D. Sharp pain that worsens with inspiration
Explanation: Rising carbon dioxide can cause headache, confusion, drowsiness and, later, reduced consciousness, often with vasodilation and a bounding…
Correct answer: Increasing drowsiness with a bounding pulse- A. Assess airway patency and call for urgent assistance
- B. Offer oral fluids to loosen the secretions
- C. Place the patient in a flat supine position
- D. Document the findings and reassess in one hour
Explanation: Cyanosis, ineffective cough and restlessness indicate severe oxygenation or ventilation compromise.
Correct answer: Assess airway patency and call for urgent assistanceRespiratory Nursing MCQs: common questions
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There are 50 Respiratory Nursing MCQs in the Medical Surgical Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
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