Respiratory Labs and Diagnostic Testing

Question 1

What is Oximetery?

Answer 1

The amount of hemoglobin that is carrying oxygen

Question 2

What percentage is a normal pulse oximetry reading?

Answer 2

Greater than or equal to 95%

Question 3

What are causes of a decreased pulse oximetry reading?

Answer 3

hypoventilation
atelectasis
pneumothorax
or other lung problems

Question 4

Where can pulse oximetry probes be placed?

Answer 4

ear lobes
fingers
toes

Question 5

what is the purpose of pulse oximetry monitoring in the inpatient setting?

Answer 5

to titrate O2 levels

can be used continuously or intermittently

Question 6

What types of laboratory testing can be done on sputum samples

Answer 6

culture and gram stain
cytology
AFB ( Acid-Fast Bacillus)

Question 7

What types of radiology studies may be ordered for a patient with lung problems?

Answer 7

CXR
CT
MRI
PET Scan

Question 8

What does expectorate mean?

Answer 8

Coughing up sputum

Question 9

True or False: A sputum sample can be collected by a patient spitting saliva in a cup?

Answer 9

False: Sputum is expectorated from the lungs not saliva from the mouth or throat

Question 10

What disease process does an AFB culture test for?

Answer 10

Active Tuberculosis

Question 11

What type of cells does a sputum cytology culture look for?

Answer 11

Cancer Cells

Question 12

How do you collect a sputum sample?

Answer 12

In a sterile container, sent to the lab ASAP, collected first thing in the morning, can be suctioned if patient/client unable to expectorate.

Question 13

True or False: Sputum can be suctioned from the patient and sent for a culture?

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What are the most common views ordered for a CXR

Answer 14

PA and Lateral

Question 15

What is important to teach your patients about preparing for a CXR?

Answer 15

remove any metal between the neck and waist

Question 16

What labs must be checked before a patient receives CT contrast?

Answer 16

BUN/Creatine

Question 17

Why is it important to check a BUN/Creatine level before a patient receives contrast?

Answer 17

To ensure that their kidneys are working properly, and that their body will be able to filter the contrast out of the body as waste

Question 18

What is important to teach your diabetic patients about a CT scan?

Answer 18

If they take metformin they must hold their medication for 48 hours after the scan and drink plenty of fluids.

Question 19

Your patient asks you what they can expect during their CT scan, what do you advise them?

Answer 19

The CT scanner is preformed in radiology and shows cross-section images of the area. You will lay on a hard table that will move you in and out of the machine, you will hear some loud clicking noises as the machine takes images.
you will feel a warm flush over your body when the contrast is administered but it will only last a few seconds.

Question 20

What type of allergy is important to assess before a patient receives contrast?

Answer 20

Shellfish and iodine

Question 21

What is a MRI used for?

Answer 21

to assess lesions that are difficult to assess by CT scan, and for distinguishing vascular from nonvascular structures.

Question 22

What type of imaging is preferred for images of the lung?

Answer 22

CT

Question 23

How is MRI contrast different from CT contrast?

Answer 23

It is a contrast medium, it does not contain iodine and is safe for patients with an Iodine/ shellfish allergy

Question 24

What symptom may some people experience in a closed MRI which may require sedation?

Answer 24

Claustrophobia

Question 25

What is a PET scan used for?

Answer 25

Looks for lung disease/ cancer using a radioactive substance called a tracer

Question 26

How does a PET scan differ from a CT/MRI?

Answer 26

CT/MRI look at a specific structure while a PET scan looks at body function

Question 27

what is a bronchoscopy used for?

Answer 27

to visualize bronchi, obtain biopsy specimens or for the removal of secretions

Question 28

what is the nursing care prior to a bronchoscopy?

Answer 28

to ensure the consent form is signed, that the patient has been NPO 6-12 hours prior to exam, and to give sedative to numb the patients throat

Question 29

What nursing care follows a bronchoscopy?

Answer 29

Keeping patient NPO until gag reflex returns | Educate patient that blood tinged mucous/sputum is an expected finding

Question 30

what are unexpected findings following a bronchoscopy?

Answer 30

hemorrhage | pneumothorax

Question 31

What should you as a nurse look for if your patient is hemorrhaging after a bronchoscopy

Answer 31

sudden increase in HR and decreased BP

Question 32

If your patient is 4 hours post bronchoscopy and they develop sudden shortness of air, what might the patient be experiencing?

Answer 32

pneumothorax

Question 33

Lung biopsies can be done via?

Answer 33

Bronchoscope transthoracic needle aspiration open lung biopsy video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)

Question 34

What is a thoracentesis used for?

Answer 34

to obtain or removed pleural fluid

Question 35

what is a pleural effusion?

Answer 35

collection of fluid in the pleural space that blocks good lung perfusion

Question 36

What is third spacing?

Answer 36

the abnormal accumulation of fluid in an extracellular or extravascular space

Question 37

what position should your patient be in for a thoracentesis?

Answer 37

Upright with their elbows on the overhead table, they are also instructed not to talk during the procedure

Question 38

What does a pulmonary function test (PFT) do?

Answer 38

measures lung volume, capacity, rates of flow and gas exchange

Question 39

how is a PFT performed?

Answer 39

you will ask patient to empty their lungs by gently breathing out as much air as you can, then breathe in a quick deep breath, hold for 10 seconds, and breath out as instructed. The test usually lasts for 30 min.

Question 40

what is the purpose of a forced expiratory volume test? (FEV1)

Answer 40

to measure the maximum amount of air expired forcefully from the lungs in 1 second

Question 41

What type of lung disease is a FEV1 used for?

Answer 41

Pulmonary obstructive disease

Question 42

What is a peak flow meter used for?

Answer 42

Asthma

Question 43

what can hand held peak flow meters show an early indication of?

Answer 43

Asthma Attack