Respiratory System Assessment: Master the Art of Physical Examination

Question 1

Which clinical manifestation is most commonly associated with a pleural effusion?

Accepted Answer

Decreased breath sounds

Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Increased heart rate

Answer

Fever

Question 2

Which of the following are primary functions of the respiratory system?

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange

Accepted Answer

Regulation of acid-base balance

Answer

Production of hormones

Answer

Digestion of food

Question 3

The primary function of the respiratory system is:

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange between the blood and the external environment

Answer

Nutrient absorption from the digestive tract

Answer

Immune defense against pathogens

Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Question 4

During normal inspiration, the predominant sound heard with a stethoscope placed on the chest is:

Accepted Answer

Vesicular

Answer

Bronchial

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Wheezes

Question 5

Which of the following is the most common cause of acute respiratory infections?

Accepted Answer

Viruses

Answer

Bacteria

Answer

Fungi

Answer

Parasites

Question 6

The physical assessment technique that involves listening to sounds produced within the respiratory system using a stethoscope is:

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Transillumination

Question 7

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used to:

Accepted Answer

Determine oxygen saturation in the blood

Answer

Measure heart rate

Answer

Estimate respiratory rate

Answer

Assess blood pressure

Question 8

The recommended first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia typically involves:

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Bronchodilators

Answer

Inhaled steroids

Answer

Nasal decongestants

Question 9

A major risk factor for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is:

Accepted Answer

Tobacco smoking

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a function of the respiratory system in gas exchange?

Accepted Answer

Production of hormones

Answer

Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal

Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Answer

Maintenance of acid-base balance

Question 11

What assessment technique is used to evaluate tactile fremitus?

Accepted Answer

Palpation with hands placed on the chest wall

Answer

Auscultation with a stethoscope

Answer

Percussion with fingertips or a percussion hammer

Answer

Inspection by observing chest movements

Question 12

What is the normal range of respiratory rate for adults at rest?

Accepted Answer

12-18 breaths per minute

Answer

8-10 breaths per minute

Answer

18-24 breaths per minute

Answer

26-30 breaths per minute

Question 13

Which of the following adventitious lung sounds indicates an airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Rhonchi

Answer

Pleural rub

Question 14

Which pathogen is most commonly associated with community-acquired pneumonia in adults?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Chlamydophila pneumoniae

Question 15

Which type of respiratory failure is characterized by an elevated PaCO2 but normal PaO2?

Accepted Answer

Type II

Answer

Type I

Answer

Type III

Answer

Type IV

Question 16

What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical ventilation to support breathing

Answer

Administration of antibiotics to treat infection

Answer

Bronchodilator therapy to open airways

Answer

Chest physiotherapy to clear secretions

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a potential complication of long-term oxygen therapy?

Accepted Answer

Bronchitis

Answer

Oxygen toxicity

Answer

Atelectasis

Answer

Pneumothorax

Question 18

What is the primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

To improve exercise tolerance and reduce dyspnea

Answer

To increase lung capacity and enhance sleep quality

Answer

To reduce airway inflammation and prevent respiratory infections

Answer

To promote weight loss and improve overall health

Question 19

During an assessment of the chest wall, what finding is indicative of a flail chest?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetrical chest movement with paradoxical motion of a chest segment during respiration

Answer

Crepitus on palpation of the chest

Answer

Tactile fremitus bilaterally

Answer

Barrel-shaped chest

Question 20

For optimal assessment of the posterior chest, which position is most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Leaning forward with support

Answer

Sitting upright with arms resting comfortably

Answer

Lying supine on the examination table

Answer

Lying in lateral recumbent position

Question 21

Which percussion technique is employed to elicit a resonant sound when assessing the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Mediate percussion

Answer

Immediate percussion

Answer

Digital percussion

Answer

Auscultatory percussion

Question 22

Upon bifurcation of the trachea, which structures are formed?

Accepted Answer

Main bronchi

Answer

Bronchioles

Answer

Alveoli

Answer

Pleura

Question 23

Which lung lobe is only present on the left side?

Accepted Answer

Lingula

Answer

Superior lobe

Answer

Middle lobe

Answer

Inferior lobe

Question 24

Palpation of the posterior thorax to assess for areas of tenderness and deformity is termed:

Accepted Answer

Tactile fremitus

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Chest expansion

Question 25

The normal respiratory rate range for an adult at rest is:

Accepted Answer

12-16 breaths/minute

Answer

8-12 breaths/minute

Answer

16-20 breaths/minute

Answer

20-24 breaths/minute

Question 26

The most prevalent cause of community-acquired pneumonia in adults is:

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 27

Identify the primary muscle responsible for inhalation during normal breathing:

Accepted Answer

Diaphragm

Answer

Intercostal muscles

Answer

Abdominal muscles

Answer

Accessory muscles

Question 28

When evaluating a patient with shortness of breath, which finding suggests a possible upper airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Stridor

Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Pleural rub

Question 29

The typical respiratory rate for an adult at rest is:

Accepted Answer

12-16 breaths per minute

Answer

8-10 breaths per minute

Answer

16-20 breaths per minute

Answer

20-25 breaths per minute

Question 30

Identify a primary risk factor for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

Accepted Answer

Tobacco use

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Question 31

Which condition is the most common cause of acute respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Asthma exacerbation

Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation

Question 32

The definitive test for diagnosing asthma is:

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Pulmonary function testing

Answer

Bronchoscopy

Question 33

Which of the following is a primary function of the respiratory system?

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange

Answer

Fluid balance

Answer

Waste elimination

Answer

Temperature regulation

Question 34

Within the respiratory system, which structures are responsible for gas exchange?

Accepted Answer

Alveoli

Answer

Pleura

Answer

Bronchi

Question 35

When performing lung auscultation, which finding suggests the presence of a pleural effusion?

Accepted Answer

Dullness to percussion and diminished breath sounds

Answer

Increased vocal resonance

Answer

Wheezing and rhonchi

Question 36

Which of the following is a major risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Accepted Answer

Tobacco smoking

Answer

Heart failure

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Question 37

Which diagnostic test is commonly used for evaluating interstitial lung disease?

Accepted Answer

High-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT)

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Pulmonary function test

Question 38

Which of the following conditions is characterized by airway inflammation and reversible bronchoconstriction?

Accepted Answer

Asthma

Answer

Chronic bronchitis

Answer

Emphysema

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 39

Which of the following is a non-modifiable risk factor for the development of lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Family history

Answer

Tobacco use

Answer

Exposure to air pollution

Answer

Exposure to occupational hazards

Question 40

A patient presents with a productive cough, fever, and shortness of breath. During lung auscultation, you hear fine crackles in both lower lobes. Which respiratory condition is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Question 41

A patient suspected of having pulmonary hypertension presents with shortness of breath during exertion, fatigue, and swelling in the legs. Which physical exam finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A loud, harsh S2 heart sound

Answer

Crackles in the lower lobes

Answer

Wheezing during exhalation

Answer

Diminished breath sounds

Question 42

A 65-year-old patient with a history of smoking presents with chronic cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Spirometry reveals a decreased forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and an increased residual volume. Which of the following conditions is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Pulmonary fibrosis

Answer

Asthma

Question 43

You are assessing a patient with suspected pneumothorax. Which physical exam finding is most suggestive of this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Absent or diminished breath sounds on the affected side

Answer

Wheezing during exhalation

Answer

Fine crackles in the lower lobes

Question 44

A patient with a history of asthma experiences a sudden onset of shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough. Which medication is the most appropriate initial treatment for this acute exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled bronchodilator (e.g., albuterol)

Answer

Oxygen therapy

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Corticosteroids

Question 45

You are evaluating a patient with suspected sleep apnea. Which symptom is most suggestive of this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Excessive daytime sleepiness

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Productive cough

Question 46

While auscultating a patient's lungs, you hear a high-pitched, whistling sound during exhalation. Which condition is most likely responsible for this finding?

Accepted Answer

Asthma

Answer

Pneumothorax

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 47

A patient with a history of lung cancer presents with persistent cough, coughing up blood, and weight loss. Which imaging study is most appropriate to confirm the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Pulmonary function tests

Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Question 48

A patient with cystic fibrosis experiences recurrent respiratory infections and difficulty clearing mucus. Which intervention is most important in managing this patient's condition?

Accepted Answer

Chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques

Answer

Antibiotic therapy

Answer

Oxygen therapy