Socraties Quiz Oxygenation Flashcards
(96 cards)
________refers to the amount of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a full, forced exhalation. It is one of the lung volumes measured during pulmonary function tests
Residual volume
The epiglottis serves which function?
Prevents food from entering the trachea
Which condition would the nurse suspect in a patient with an eosinophil count of 700/mm3?
Asthma
Normal Values
pH, PCO2, PO2, HCO3
Base excess or deficit:
pH: 7.35–7.45
PCO2 (Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide): 35–45 mm Hg
PO2 (Partial Pressure of Oxygen): 80–100 mm Hg
HCO3 (Bicarbonate): 22–26 mEq/L
Base excess or deficit: –2–+2 mmol/L
Arterial blood gas analysis assesses
gas exchange and perfusion by measuring oxygenation (PaO2), alveolar ventilation (PaCO2), and acid-base balance
An increased partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) is known as
hypercarbia or hypercapnia
Chronic respiratory acidosis results from
increased arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2)
*Metabolic alkalosis is described as a compensatory mechanism that occurs in the context of ____
*Characterised by _____
*Occurs as compensation
*This compensatory change is seen on arterial blood gases (ABGs) as an elevation of _________
*Even with this compensation, in the setting of chronic respiratory acidosis, the pH _________
*chronic respiratory acidosis
*increased arterial bicarbonate
*by kidney retention of bicarbonate
*HCO3-
*remains lower than normal
In late-stage emphysema, carbon dioxide retention and chronic respiratory acidosis result because
the alveoli are affected, reducing the functional area for gas exchange
In chronic bronchitis, impaired airflow and gas exchange due to mucus plugs and inflammation narrowing the airways lead to increased
arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels and respiratory acidosis.
When chronic respiratory acidosis is present_____
*Metabolic alkalosis can occur as a compensatory mechanism. This involves the kidneys retaining bicarbonate.
*On ABG studies, this compensation is seen as an elevation of HCO3-.
*However, even with this metabolic compensation, the pH remains lower than normal
Acidosis-Alkalosis Scale
Which clinical findings wil priompt the nurse to evaluate the patient as a priority?
A. Sore throat and fever (102.2 F) (39 C) taken orally
B. SOB after walking up a flight of stairs
C. Soreness of arm after receiving PPD skin test
D. Speaking in three-word sentences with a saturated peripheral O2 (SpO2) of 90% by pulse oximetry
D. Speaking in three-word sentences with a saturated peripheral O2 (SpO2) of 90% by pulse oximetry
This patient is showing signs of respiratory distress and potential hypoxia:
Three-word sentences indicate severe dyspnea (the patient can’t speak full sentences without becoming short of breath).
SpO2 of 90% is below the normal range (typically ≥ 95%) and may signal impaired oxygenation.
This is a priority finding because airway and breathing are the highest priorities in nursing (ABC: Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
Which rationale is appropriate for prescribing a mucolytic for a patient diagnosed with chronic bronchitis?
A. Mucolytics decrease secretion production
B. Mucolytics increase gas exchange in the lower airways
C. Mucolytics thin secretions, making them easier to expectorate
D. Mucolytics provide bronchodilation in pts with COPD
C. Mucolytics thin secretions, making them easier to expectorate
A patient with status asthmaticus has the following assessment findings: a respiratory rate of 35 breathes per minute, a HR of 110 bpm high-pitches wheezes in all lung fields, and marked assessory muscles to breathe. The patient is receiving an IV steroid and a continuous nebulized bronchodilator medication. Which assessment reveals a worsening of this patient’s condition?
A. Absense of wheezing
B. Tremors in both hands
C. Heart rate decreased to 90 bpm
D. Decreases respiratory rate to 20 breaths/min.
A. Absense of wheezing
Rationale:
In a patient with status asthmaticus (a severe, life-threatening asthma attack), the sudden absence of wheezing can indicate a critical worsening of the condition — not improvement. This usually means:
Airflow is so restricted that not enough air is moving to produce wheezing sounds.
This is a sign of impending respiratory failure and requires immediate intervention.
Why the others are not signs of worsening:
B. Tremors in both hands: Likely a side effect of bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol), not necessarily a sign of clinical deterioration.
C. Heart rate decreased to 90 bpm: A decrease from tachycardia (110 bpm) to normal HR (90 bpm) can be a positive sign — unless it’s accompanied by other signs of collapse.
D. Decreased respiratory rate to 20 breaths/min: If this is without signs of fatigue or hypoxia, it might seem like improvement — but if paired with silent chest or mental status changes, it would be concerning. However, by itself, it’s not as immediately alarming as absence of wheezing
🚨 Red Flags (Signs of Worsening or Impending Respiratory Failure):
Silent Chest (Absence of Wheezing)
No air movement means the airway is severely obstructed.
This is an emergency.
Inability to Speak in Full Sentences
Often limited to 1–3 words per breath.
Indicates severe respiratory effort.
Drowsiness, Confusion, or Lethargy
Suggests CO₂ retention and hypoxia — a very late and dangerous sign.
Use of Accessory Muscles/Retractions
Indicates the patient is working very hard to breathe.
Neck, chest, and abdominal muscles may visibly contract.
Respiratory Rate that Suddenly Drops
If RR decreases with other signs of fatigue or reduced LOC, it’s not good — it can mean the patient is tiring out.
O2 Saturation Below 90%
Hypoxemia is dangerous and must be corrected promptly.
⚠️ Other Concerning Signs:
Pulsus paradoxus (drop in systolic BP during inspiration >10 mmHg)
Peak flow <50% of personal best or <100 L/min
Cyanosis (bluish lips or nail beds)
✨ Summary Mnemonic: “TIREDD”
Tachypnea/Tachycardia
Inability to speak
Retractions/accessory muscle use
Exhaustion
Drowsiness/confusion
Decreased or absent breath sounds
Whihc information would the nurse include when educating an older patient and family about pneumnia prevention. Select all that apply.
A. Avoiding dehydration
B. Monitoring blood pressure
C. Avoiding crowded public places
D. Decreasing exposure to air pollutants
E. Receiving an annual influenza vaccine
The correct answers are:
A. Avoiding dehydration
C. Avoiding crowded public places
D. Decreasing exposure to air pollutants
E. Receiving an annual influenza vaccine
Which factor may cause hypoxia in a patient with a tracheostomy? Select all that apply.
A. Frequent Suctioning
B. Use of 14 Fr catheter
C. Limited suctioning time
D. Excessive suction pressure
E. Ineffective oxygenation before suctioning
The correct answers are:
A. Frequent suctioning
D. Excessive suction pressure
E. Ineffective oxygenation before suctioning
✅ Rationale:
A. Frequent suctioning
✔️ Correct – Frequent suctioning can cause mucosal trauma, airway irritation, and removal of oxygen from the airway, leading to hypoxia.
B. Use of 14 Fr catheter
❌ Incorrect – The size of the catheter must be appropriate for the tracheostomy tube, and a 14 Fr catheter is often appropriate for adult patients. It’s not inherently a cause of hypoxia unless it’s too large or causes obstruction.
C. Limited suctioning time
❌ Incorrect – Short suction duration (≤10–15 seconds) is actually recommended to prevent hypoxia, not cause it.
D. Excessive suction pressure
✔️ Correct – High suction pressure can remove too much air and damage tissue, leading to hypoxemia.
E. Ineffective oxygenation before suctioning
✔️ Correct – Patients should be preoxygenated before suctioning to reduce the risk of oxygen desaturation during the procedure.
Which of the following is a primary reason to teach pursed-lip breathing to clients with emphysema?
A. To promote oxygen intake
B. To strengthen the diaphram
C. To strengthen the intercoastal muscles
D. To promote carbon dioxide elimination
D. To promote carbon dioxide elimination
✅ Rationale:
Pursed-lip breathing is taught to clients with emphysema primarily to:
Slow exhalation
Prevent airway collapse
Improve gas exchange
Promote elimination of trapped carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. To promote oxygen intake
❌ Pursed-lip breathing mainly aids in exhalation, not oxygen intake. It helps keep airways open longer to allow trapped air (and CO₂) to escape.
B. To strengthen the diaphragm
❌ Diaphragmatic breathing does this more effectively, not pursed-lip breathing.
C. To strengthen the intercostal muscles
❌ Not the purpose of this technique.
Which of the following outcomes would be appropriate for a client with COPD who has been discharged to home? The client:
A. Promises to do pursed lip breathing at home
B. States actions to reduce pain
C. States taht he will use oxygen via nasal cannula at 5 L/minute
D. Agrees to call the physician if dypsnea on exertion increases
D. Agrees to call the physician if dyspnea on exertion increases
✔️ This is the most appropriate and measurable outcome because it shows the client understands the importance of monitoring and reporting worsening symptoms, which is crucial in managing COPD at home. Early intervention can prevent hospitalization.
Why the others are not the best outcomes:
A. Promises to do pursed lip breathing at home
❌ A promise is not a measurable or reliable outcome. A better option would be: “Demonstrates or verbalizes understanding of how to perform pursed-lip breathing.”
B. States actions to reduce pain
❌ Pain is not typically a primary concern in COPD. The focus is on airway clearance, oxygenation, and managing dyspnea, not pain control.
C. States that he will use oxygen via nasal cannula at 5 L/minute
❌ This could be unsafe. In COPD patients, especially those with chronic CO₂ retention, high-flow oxygen can suppress their respiratory drive. Oxygen therapy must be prescribed and carefully titrated, often starting at 1–2 L/min.
Which two major categoried are incliuded in asthma medications?
A. Control and reliever
B. Preventative and quick acting
C. Steroids and bronchodilators
D. Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories
A. Control and reliever
Asthma medications are broadly classified into two major categories:
Control medications (also called long-term controllers or preventers)
Taken daily to prevent symptoms and attacks
Examples: Inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs), leukotriene modifiers
Reliever medications (also called quick-relief or rescue medications)
Used to relieve acute symptoms
Examples: Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) like albuterol
Why the other choices are incorrect or less accurate:
B. Preventative and quick acting
❌ Descriptive but not the formal classification used in asthma guidelines.
C. Steroids and bronchodilators
❌ These are types of drugs, not categories of use.
D. Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories
❌ Again, these are mechanisms of action, not the major clinical categories for asthma management.
Which symptoms is specific for asthma compared with other chronic lung disorders?
A. The patiet is coughing
B. The patient has dypsnea
C. It affects only young people
D. The patient is symptom-free between exacerbations
The correct answer is:
D. The patient is symptom-free between exacerbations
✅ Rationale:
Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction, meaning symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath come and go. A hallmark feature of asthma is that the patient often feels completely normal between exacerbations.
Why the others are incorrect:
A. The patient is coughing
❌ Coughing occurs in many lung disorders like COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. It’s not specific to asthma.
B. The patient has dyspnea
❌ Shortness of breath is also common in many chronic lung diseases, including COPD, interstitial lung disease, and heart failure.
C. It affects only young people
❌ Asthma can occur at any age — while it’s common in children, adults and older adults can develop or have persistent asthma.
When providing suctioning through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube, which finding would alert the nurse to stop suctioning?
A. The patient’s heart rate increases from 72 to 78 bpm
B. The patient’s coughs uncontrollably during suctioning
C. Oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is less than 90%
D. Secretions are thich and occulding the suction catheter
✅ Rationale:
An SpO₂ below 90% indicates hypoxemia, which is a dangerous complication during suctioning. If this occurs, the nurse should immediately stop suctioning, reoxygenate the patient, and reassess. Preventing hypoxia is a top priority during airway management.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Heart rate increases from 72 to 78 bpm
❌ A small HR increase is expected and not concerning during suctioning.
B. The patient coughs uncontrollably during suctioning
❌ Coughing is a normal reflex and helps clear secretions; it’s not a reason to stop unless it’s causing distress or worsening oxygenation.
D. Secretions are thick and occluding the suction catheter
❌ While this indicates a need for possible saline instillation or changing the catheter, it’s not a reason to immediately stop suctioning unless the patient is in distress.
Which interventions would the nurse use to prevent hypoxia during suctioning in the patient with a tracheostomy? Select all that apply.
A. Monitoring the heart rate
B. Monitoring the temperature
C. Monitoring the Respiratory Rate
D. Hyperoxigenating the pateint with 100% oxygen
E. Having the patient take a deep breathes before suctioning
✅ Rationale for the Correct Answers:
A. Monitoring the heart rate
✔️ Monitoring the heart rate can provide early indicators of hypoxia or distress, as an increased heart rate may occur when oxygen levels are low.
D. Hyperoxigenating the patient with 100% oxygen
✔️ Pre-oxygenating with 100% oxygen before suctioning helps ensure that the patient has adequate oxygen reserves to prevent desaturation during the procedure.
E. Having the patient take deep breaths before suctioning
✔️ Encouraging the patient to take deep breaths before suctioning can increase oxygen levels and prevent desaturation during the suctioning process.
Why B. Monitoring the temperature and C. Monitoring the respiratory rate are not as relevant:
B. Monitoring the temperature
❌ While monitoring temperature is important for infection control, it is not a direct intervention for preventing hypoxia during suctioning.
C. Monitoring the respiratory rate
❌ Although monitoring respiratory rate is important in assessing the patient’s overall condition, it is not as directly related to preventing hypoxia during suctioning as the other interventions.