Respiratory System Assessment: Techniques, Findings, and Abnormalities

Question 1

During auscultation of the respiratory system, which finding is considered normal?

Accepted Answer

Clear breath sounds in all lung fields

Answer

Bilateral expiratory wheezes

Answer

Coarse crackles in the lower lung fields

Answer

Ronchi in the upper lung fields

Question 2

When auscultating the lungs, which sound is typically associated with airway narrowing?

Accepted Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Rhonchi

Answer

Stridor

Question 3

Which pulmonary function test measures the volume of air exhaled forcefully in one second?

Accepted Answer

Spirometry

Answer

Pulmonary function testing

Answer

Peak flow meter

Answer

Diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide

Question 4

What is the typical respiratory rate range for an adult at rest?

Accepted Answer

12-20 breaths/minute

Answer

10-12 breaths/minute

Answer

15-25 breaths/minute

Answer

20-30 breaths/minute

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of percussion in respiratory assessment?

Accepted Answer

To identify areas of consolidation or fluid

Answer

To assess chest wall movement

Answer

To auscultate breath sounds more clearly

Answer

To measure lung volumes

Question 6

What is the primary role of the diaphragm in the respiratory process?

Accepted Answer

To enlarge the thoracic cavity

Answer

To constrict the thoracic cavity

Answer

To directly move air in and out of the lungs

Answer

To produce vocal sounds

Question 7

What is the medical term for shortness of breath?

Accepted Answer

Dyspnea

Answer

Apnea

Answer

Tachypnea

Answer

Bradypnea

Question 8

During lung auscultation, which breath sound is characterized by a soft, low-pitched, continuous sound heard throughout both inspiration and expiration?

Accepted Answer

Vesicular

Answer

Bronchial

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Wheezes

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of a spirometry test?

Accepted Answer

To measure lung volumes and capacities

Answer

To detect airway obstructions

Answer

To evaluate gas exchange

Answer

To assess the effectiveness of respiratory medications

Question 10

Which of the following is an indication of respiratory distress?

Accepted Answer

Tachypnea

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Oliguria

Question 11

Which patient positioning promotes optimal lung expansion?

Accepted Answer

Semi-Fowler's position

Answer

Supine with head elevated

Answer

Sitting upright

Answer

Prone with head down

Question 12

What is the typical respiratory rate for an adult at rest?

Accepted Answer

12-20 breaths per minute

Answer

8-10 breaths per minute

Answer

18-24 breaths per minute

Answer

25-30 breaths per minute

Question 13

What is the main function of the pleura?

Accepted Answer

To protect and lubricate the lungs

Answer

To produce surfactant

Answer

To facilitate gas exchange

Answer

To control respiratory rate

Question 14

Which of the following is the primary purpose of performing chest percussion?

Accepted Answer

To identify dullness or hyperresonance indicating underlying abnormalities

Answer

To detect tenderness or swelling

Answer

To auscultate breath sounds

Answer

To measure chest expansion

Question 15

In a patient with COPD, which of the following abnormalities is commonly observed in pulmonary function testing?

Accepted Answer

Reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

Answer

Increased forced vital capacity (FVC)

Answer

Increased peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)

Answer

Normal forced expiratory flow (FEF)

Question 16

Which aspect of respiratory system assessment is considered the most crucial?

Accepted Answer

Thorough observation

Answer

Palpation of the chest wall

Answer

Auscultation of breath sounds

Answer

Percussion of the chest

Question 17

Which respiratory assessment technique involves listening to sounds produced by airflow within the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Question 18

What palpation finding is characteristic of emphysema?

Accepted Answer

Decreased tactile fremitus

Answer

Increased tactile fremitus

Answer

Normal tactile fremitus

Answer

Absent tactile fremitus

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a component of a comprehensive respiratory system assessment?

Accepted Answer

Nutritional assessment

Answer

Medical history review

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Spirometry

Question 20

During lung percussion, a resonant sound is typically heard over:

Accepted Answer

Healthy lung tissue

Answer

Pneumonic consolidation

Answer

Pleural effusion

Answer

Atelectasis

Question 21

Which breath sound is characterized by coarse, low-pitched rumbling noises during inspiration and expiration?

Accepted Answer

Rhonchi

Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Stridor

Question 22

The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Assess airway resistance and detect asthma exacerbation

Answer

Determine the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer

Measure lung capacity

Answer

Evaluate the adequacy of oxygenation

Question 23

Which of the following chest auscultation findings suggests airway narrowing?

Accepted Answer

Presence of wheezes

Answer

Increased vocal resonance

Answer

Prolonged expiratory phase

Answer

Diminished breath sounds over the affected area

Question 24

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

Accepted Answer

16-20 breaths/minute

Answer

12-16 breaths/minute

Answer

20-24 breaths/minute

Answer

24-28 breaths/minute

Question 25

Which type of breathing pattern involves rapid, shallow breaths?

Accepted Answer

Hyperventilation

Answer

Hypoventilation

Answer

Cheyne-Stokes

Answer

Kussmaul

Question 26

Clubbing of the fingers in respiratory assessment is primarily indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Chronic hypoxia

Answer

Lung cancer

Answer

Allergic reactions

Answer

Liver disease

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a technique employed in evaluating the respiratory system?

Accepted Answer

X-ray examination

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Pulmonary function testing

Question 28

The primary purpose of pulse oximetry during respiratory assessment is to:

Accepted Answer

Measure oxygen saturation

Answer

Measure blood pressure

Answer

Detect heart arrhythmias

Answer

Evaluate respiratory muscle strength

Question 29

Crackles on chest auscultation are commonly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Emphysema

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Lung cancer

Question 30

A low PaCO2 level in a patient with respiratory acidosis is often indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Hyperventilation

Answer

Hypoventilation

Answer

Normal ventilation

Answer

Respiratory distress

Question 31

Dyspnea, unlike tachypnea, refers to:

Accepted Answer

Difficulty breathing

Answer

Rapid breathing

Answer

Shallow breathing

Answer

Labored breathing

Question 32

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

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange between blood and air

Answer

Temperature regulation

Answer

Elimination of metabolic waste

Answer

Protection of internal organs

Question 33

During auscultation of the lungs, which sound is most commonly heard in patients with obstructive airway diseases?

Accepted Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Crackles

Answer

Ronchi

Answer

Rales

Question 34

What is a common finding on percussion over an area of consolidated lung tissue?

Accepted Answer

Dullness

Answer

Hyperresonance

Answer

Tympany

Answer

Flatness

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a common risk factor for developing respiratory infections?

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer

Immunosuppression

Question 36

What is the primary purpose of using a peak flow meter?

Accepted Answer

To monitor changes in airflow over time

Answer

To measure lung volume

Answer

To diagnose asthma

Answer

To assess airway resistance

Question 37

During lung auscultation, which characteristics describe vesicular breath sounds?

Accepted Answer

Soft, low-pitched, and heard during inhalation

Answer

Loud, high-pitched, and heard during exhalation

Answer

Harsh, rumbling, and continuous

Answer

Absent or very faint

Question 38

Which auscultation technique involves listening to the sounds created by air flowing through the airways?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Tactile fremitus

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Question 39

What is the term for abnormal breath sounds characterized by high-pitched, whistling noises?

Accepted Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Rales

Answer

Stridor

Answer

Crackles

Question 40

Which finding is considered normal during auscultation of the lung bases in healthy individuals?

Accepted Answer

Fine crackles

Answer

Loud wheezes

Answer

Absence of breath sounds

Answer

Musical rales

Question 41

Which of the following parameters is NOT measured during spirometry?

Accepted Answer

Tidal volume

Answer

Forced vital capacity (FVC)

Answer

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

Answer

Inspiratory capacity

Question 42

What is the most prevalent type of lung disease in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Lung cancer

Question 43

In case of an acute asthma exacerbation, which nursing intervention is of primary importance?

Accepted Answer

Administering bronchodilators

Answer

Providing oxygen therapy

Answer

Monitoring vital signs

Answer

Educating the patient about their condition

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT typically included in a physical examination of the respiratory system?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of abdominal girth

Answer

Inspection of the chest wall

Answer

Palpation of the chest wall

Answer

Auscultation of breath sounds

Question 45

Which of the following is a common finding indicative of a problem during pulmonary function testing?

Accepted Answer

Reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)

Answer

Normal forced vital capacity (FVC)

Answer

Increased vital capacity

Answer

Normal peak expiratory flow rate

Question 46

Which of the following respiratory conditions is often characterized by wheezing and shortness of breath?

Accepted Answer

Asthma

Answer

Emphysema

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Tuberculosis

Question 47

When gathering a respiratory history, which question is most relevant to assess for environmental exposures?

Accepted Answer

Do you smoke or have you ever smoked?

Answer

Do you experience any difficulty breathing?

Answer

Do you have any chest pain?

Answer

Have you had any recent respiratory infections?

Question 48

What pulmonary function test specifically measures the volume of air forcefully exhaled in one second?

Accepted Answer

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)

Answer

Peak expiratory flow rate

Answer

Vital capacity

Answer

Maximum inspiratory pressure

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?

Accepted Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Grunting

Answer

Tachypnea

Answer

Cyanosis

Question 50

Which of the following respiratory maneuvers can be beneficial for improving oxygenation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Accepted Answer

Pursed-lip breathing

Answer

Heimlich maneuver

Answer

Abdominal thrusts

Answer

Valsalva maneuver