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)?