CMSRN Respiratory and Pulmonary Care

Question 1

A patient with COPD has an SpO2 of 88% and is on 2L/min nasal cannula. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Maintain current settings as 88% is acceptable for COPD patients

Answer

COPD patients often retain CO2 and rely on hypoxic drive; SpO2 of 88–92% is the target range to avoid suppressing respiratory drive.

Question 2

Which finding on a chest X-ray is most consistent with pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Absence of lung markings on one side

Answer

Pneumothorax appears on chest X-ray as absence of lung markings with a visible pleural line on the affected side.

Question 3

A patient develops sudden severe dyspnea, tracheal deviation to the left, and absent breath sounds on the right. What condition does the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Tension pneumothorax presents with severe dyspnea, tracheal deviation away from the affected side, and absent breath sounds — a life-threatening emergency.

Question 4

When performing deep tracheal suctioning, the nurse should limit each suction pass to no more than:

Accepted Answer

10–15 seconds

Answer

Each suction pass should be limited to 10–15 seconds to minimize hypoxia and mucosal trauma.

Question 5

A patient is prescribed incentive spirometry post-operatively. What is the primary goal of this intervention?

Accepted Answer

Prevent atelectasis and promote lung expansion

Answer

Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing to expand alveoli and prevent post-operative atelectasis.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN Respiratory and Pulmonary Care