MSNCB Respiratory Care 3

Question 1

A patient with asthma is admitted with severe bronchospasm. Which medication class is the first priority treatment?

Accepted Answer

Short-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., albuterol)

Answer

Short-acting beta-2 agonists provide rapid bronchodilation and are the cornerstone of acute asthma exacerbation management.

Question 2

A nurse assesses paradoxical breathing in a trauma patient. This pattern is MOST consistent with which condition?

Accepted Answer

Flail chest

Answer

Flail chest occurs when multiple rib fractures create a free-floating segment that moves inward during inhalation and outward during exhalation (paradoxical movement).

Question 3

Which arterial blood gas result is consistent with metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation?

Accepted Answer

pH 7.50, PaCO2 50, HCO3 38

Answer

Metabolic alkalosis shows elevated pH and HCO3; the body compensates by hypoventilating (retaining CO2), raising PaCO2.

Question 4

A patient with a tracheostomy tube has cuff pressure measured at 32 cmH2O. The nurse's priority action is to:

Accepted Answer

Deflate the cuff slightly to achieve 20–25 cmH2O

Answer

Cuff pressure should be maintained at 20–25 cmH2O; pressures above 25 cmH2O impair tracheal mucosal perfusion and risk tracheal necrosis.

Question 5

The nurse suspects a patient has developed a pulmonary embolism. Which combination of findings best supports this suspicion?

Accepted Answer

Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and tachycardia

Answer

The classic PE triad includes sudden-onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and tachycardia, reflecting acute obstruction of pulmonary vasculature.

(MSNCB) Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board Practice Test

(MSNCB) Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board Practice Test

MSNCB Respiratory Care 3