Chapter 38: Oxygenation & Tissue Perfusion

A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. Which assessment finding would indicate a potential cardiovascular issue rather than a respiratory one?

A patient has been diagnosed with impaired gas exchange. Which nursing intervention would be MOST appropriate to improve oxygenation?

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the hospital. Which nursing diagnosis would be the highest priority?

During an assessment, a nurse notes that a patient has a weak, thready peripheral pulse. Which of the following could be a potential cause?

A patient is scheduled for a pulmonary function test. Which instruction is MOST important for the nurse to provide before the test?

A patient with a tracheostomy is being discharged home. What key education point should the nurse emphasize to the patient and their family regarding tracheostomy care?

A patient is receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 4 liters per minute. The patient's oxygen saturation remains low at 88%. What is the MOST appropriate initial action by the nurse?

Which of the following physiological mechanisms explains why a patient with severe anemia might experience shortness of breath?

A patient with COPD has chronically elevated PaCO2 levels. Which compensatory mechanism is most likely to occur over time?

A nurse is assessing a cardiac patient who reports new-onset fatigue. Which question is MOST important for the nurse to ask to determine the potential cardiac etiology of the fatigue?

A patient with a history of cardiac arrhythmias reports experiencing frequent dizziness. What assessment question is MOST relevant to determine if the dizziness is related to their heart condition?

A patient presents to the emergency department with chest pain. Which question would be MOST important for the nurse to ask first to rapidly assess and address a life-threatening cardiac issue?

A patient with a known cardiac condition is complaining of increased fatigue. Which of the following assessment findings would MOST strongly suggest that the fatigue is cardiac-related rather than due to another cause?

A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD who reports increased shortness of breath. Auscultation reveals significantly decreased breath sounds in the lower lobes bilaterally. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?

A patient with a history of COPD is admitted for an elective surgery. Pre-operatively, the patient's oxygen saturation is consistently between 92-94% on room air. What adjustment to oxygen administration is MOST appropriate post-operatively?

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of albuterol administered via nebulizer to a patient with asthma. Which assessment finding BEST indicates that the treatment was effective?

A patient with pneumonia has a nursing diagnosis of ineffective airway clearance. Which intervention is MOST appropriate for this patient?

A patient is being discharged after hospitalization for heart failure. The patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). What key point should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

A nurse assessing a patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) notes the following findings in the patient's lower extremities: cool to touch, shiny skin, minimal hair growth, and weak pedal pulses. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is MOST appropriate?

A patient with a pulmonary embolism (PE) is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value is MOST important for the nurse to monitor?

A patient with a long history of smoking is undergoing evaluation for possible lung cancer. Which diagnostic test would likely provide the MOST definitive diagnosis?

A patient's oxygen saturation drops to 85% while receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Auscultation reveals diminished breath sounds in the left lower lobe. What is the MOST appropriate initial nursing intervention?

A patient with a new tracheostomy is being prepared for discharge. Which statement indicates a need for further education regarding tracheostomy care at home?

While caring for a patient with a chest tube connected to a closed drainage system, the nurse observes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?

A patient is ordered oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding would indicate the need to modify the oxygen delivery method?

The nurse is caring for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. The high-pressure alarm is sounding frequently. Which of the following is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?

A patient with a history of asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. After administering a beta-2 agonist, which assessment finding would indicate the medication has been effective?

A patient with COPD is prescribed home oxygen therapy. Which of the following instructions is MOST crucial for the nurse to emphasize regarding oxygen use?

A patient with pneumonia has thick, tenacious secretions. Which intervention is MOST important to help mobilize and clear these secretions?

The physician orders a medication to be administered via nebulizer. The nurse understands this route is chosen because it provides which benefit?

A nurse is caring for a patient who is having difficulty expectorating thick sputum. Which intervention would be MOST effective in helping the patient clear their airway?

A patient is being discharged after hospitalization for pneumonia. Which statement indicates the patient understands important discharge instructions?

A patient with a history of asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. After administering a beta-2 agonist medication via nebulizer, which assessment finding would indicate the medication has been effective?

Which nursing intervention is MOST important when caring for a patient immediately following a bronchoscopy?

A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. The nurse observes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?

Which of the following assessment findings would be MOST concerning in a patient with a recent diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

The Heart

Respiratory System

Cardio-Pulmonary Link

Respiratory/Cardiac Impairment

Respiratory/Cardiac Assessment

Oxygenation Nursing Diagnosis

Oxygenation Goals

Oxygenation Interventions

Barrel-Shaped Chest

Mucolytic Agents

Impaired Airway Clearance

Tachypnea

Upright Positioning for Breathing

Fowler or Semi-Fowler position

RT assessment after respiratory distress

RT assessment after respiratory distress

Importance of Vital Signs

Oxygen Administration Orders

Nonrebreather Mask Flow Rate

Suctioning Assessment

Suctioning Time Limit

Importance of Documentation

NSS Flushing During Suctioning

Nasal Cannula Flow Rate

Smoking Cessation Interventions

Cyanosis

Aspiration Pneumonia

COPD

Drive to Breathe (COPD)

Education About Smoking Risks

Dangers of E-cigs

Cause of Cyanosis

CO2 Tolerance in COPD

Hypoxic Drive

Altered Respiratory Drive

Cardiac Assessment Cues

Focused Cardiac History