Pneumonia NCLEX Style Practice PDF

**Which pathogen is responsible for approximately 50% of pneumonia cases?** - A. Mycoplasma pneumoniae - B. Streptococcus pneumoniae - C. Influenza virus - D. Pneumocystis jiroveci\ **Answer: B. Streptococcus pneumoniae**\ **Rationale:** Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading ca...

**Which pathogen is responsible for approximately 50% of pneumonia cases?** - A. Mycoplasma pneumoniae - B. Streptococcus pneumoniae - C. Influenza virus - D. Pneumocystis jiroveci\ **Answer: B. Streptococcus pneumoniae**\ **Rationale:** Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and accounts for about 50% of cases​. 2. **Which of the following is a hallmark sign of bacterial pneumonia?** - A. Dry, nonproductive cough - B. Productive cough with purulent sputum - C. Gradual onset with fatigue - D. Wheezing\ **Answer: B. Productive cough with purulent sputum**\ **Rationale:** Bacterial pneumonia typically presents with a productive cough and purulent sputum due to inflammation and infection in the alveoli​. 3. **What is the most appropriate diagnostic test to confirm pneumonia?** - A. Chest X-ray - B. Electrocardiogram - C. Blood culture - D. MRI\ **Answer: A. Chest X-ray**\ **Rationale:** A chest X-ray is the gold standard to identify infiltrates, consolidation, or areas of atelectasis indicative of pneumonia​. 4. **Which type of pneumonia is commonly known as \"walking pneumonia\"?** - A. Bacterial pneumonia - B. Mycoplasma pneumonia - C. Viral pneumonia - D. Aspiration pneumonia\ **Answer: B. Mycoplasma pneumonia**\ **Rationale:** Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes a milder form of pneumonia, often referred to as \"walking pneumonia,\" and is common among young adults​. 5. **Which population is at the highest risk for opportunistic pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci?** - A. Elderly individuals - B. Cancer patients - C. Immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS - D. College students in crowded dormitories\ **Answer: C. Immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS**\ **Rationale:** Opportunistic infections like Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia predominantly affect individuals with severely compromised immune systems​. 6. **Which of the following findings is a severe complication of aspiration pneumonia?** - A. Pleural effusion - B. Pulmonary abscess - C. Consolidation of alveoli - D. Lung necrosis\ **Answer: D. Lung necrosis**\ **Rationale:** Aspiration pneumonia can lead to complications such as lung necrosis, abscess formation, and bronchiectasis due to the inflammatory response​. 7. **Which vaccine provides long-term immunity against pneumonia?** - A. Influenza vaccine - B. Diphtheria vaccine - C. Pneumococcal vaccine - D. Tuberculosis vaccine\ **Answer: C. Pneumococcal vaccine**\ **Rationale:** The pneumococcal vaccine provides lifetime immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae for most individuals​. 8. **What is the primary mechanism by which viruses cause pneumonia?** - A. Inflammation of bronchioles only - B. Alveolar thickening with protein-rich fluid - C. Cellular invasion, replication, and destruction - D. Colonization of upper respiratory tract\ **Answer: C. Cellular invasion, replication, and destruction**\ **Rationale:** Viruses replicate inside cells, burst them open, and spread to adjacent tissues, leading to bronchopneumonia​. 9. **Which symptom is most indicative of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)?** - A. Sudden fever and chills - B. Chronic fatigue - C. Dry cough - D. Wheezing without fever\ **Answer: A. Sudden fever and chills**\ **Rationale:** CAP often presents with acute symptoms, including fever, chills, and a productive cough​. 10. **What is the first nursing action for a patient with dyspnea and oxygen saturation of 85%?** - A. Administer prescribed antibiotics - B. Place the patient in high-Fowler's position - C. Prepare for a bronchoscopy - D. Obtain a sputum sample\ **Answer: B. Place the patient in high-Fowler's position**\ **Rationale:** Positioning the patient in high-Fowler's aids ventilation and oxygenation​. 11. **Which diagnostic test helps differentiate bacterial from viral pneumonia?** - A. Sputum culture - B. Chest X-ray - C. Procalcitonin levels - D. Arterial blood gases\ **Answer: C. Procalcitonin levels**\ **Rationale:** Elevated procalcitonin levels indicate bacterial infection, guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy​. 12. **Which of the following medications is commonly used to reduce bronchospasm in pneumonia patients?** - A. Mucolytics - B. Antipyretics - C. Bronchodilators - D. Antibiotics\ **Answer: C. Bronchodilators**\ **Rationale:** Bronchodilators like albuterol are used to reduce bronchospasm and improve airway patency​. 13. **What is the priority goal of antibiotic therapy in pneumonia?** - A. Reducing fever - B. Preventing lung abscesses - C. Eradicating the infection - D. Preventing pleuritis\ **Answer: C. Eradicating the infection**\ **Rationale:** Antibiotics target the underlying bacterial cause of pneumonia to resolve the infection​. 14. **Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing pneumonia in at-risk populations?** - A. Administering bronchodilators - B. Encouraging vaccination - C. Performing chest physiotherapy - D. Ensuring bedrest\ **Answer: B. Encouraging vaccination**\ **Rationale:** Vaccination is a key preventive measure against certain types of pneumonia​. 15. **What is the main reason for assessing sputum characteristics in pneumonia patients?** - A. To identify viral infections - B. To determine the extent of respiratory distress - C. To guide antibiotic therapy - D. To monitor hydration status\ **Answer: C. To guide antibiotic therapy**\ **Rationale:** Sputum analysis helps identify the causative organism and ensures targeted antibiotic treatment​.