Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is auscultating the lungs of a client who has pleurisy. Which of the following adventitious breath sounds should the professional expect to hear?

• A. Loud, scratchy sounds
• B. Squeaky, musical sounds
• C. Popping sounds
• D. Snoring sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When auscultating the lungs of a client with pleurisy, the healthcare professional should expect to hear loud, scratchy sounds. These sounds are characteristic of pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the pleura, causing a rough, grating sound during breathing.

2. A healthcare professional auscultates a harsh hollow sound over a client's trachea & larynx. Which action should the healthcare professional take first?

• A. Document findings.
• B. Administer O2 therapy.
• C. Position client in high-Fowler's position.
• D. Administer prescribed albuterol.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The healthcare professional has identified bronchial breath sounds, which are normal findings over the trachea & larynx, characterized by harsh, hollow, tubular, and blowing sounds. The appropriate initial action for the healthcare professional is to document these normal findings. Oxygen therapy, administering albuterol, or repositioning the client is unnecessary as this finding does not indicate a need for intervention.

3. A client has a tracheostomy that is 3 days old. Upon assessment, the nurse notes the client's face is puffy, and the eyelids are swollen. What action by the nurse takes priority?

• A. Assess the client's oxygen saturation.
• B. Notify the Rapid Response Team.
• C. Oxygenate the client with a bag-valve-mask.
• D. Palpate the skin of the upper chest.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the client may have subcutaneous emphysema, where air leaks into the tissues surrounding the tracheostomy. The priority action for the nurse is to assess the client's oxygen saturation and other indicators of oxygenation to ensure adequate oxygen supply. If the client is stable, the nurse can then proceed to palpate the skin of the upper chest to check for subcutaneous emphysema. If the client is unstable, the nurse should promptly notify the Rapid Response Team. Using a bag-valve-mask device may be necessary for oxygenating the client, but assessing oxygen saturation comes first to guide further interventions.

4. During an acute asthma attack, a healthcare provider assesses a client. Which assessment finding indicates that the client's condition is worsening?

• A. Loud wheezing
• B. Increased respiratory rate
• C. Decreased breath sounds
• D. Productive cough

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a client experiencing an acute asthma attack, decreased breath sounds suggest severe airway obstruction or respiratory fatigue, indicating a worsening condition. Loud wheezing, increased respiratory rate, and a productive cough are common manifestations during an asthma attack as the airways constrict, leading to turbulent airflow causing wheezing, increased effort to breathe resulting in a higher respiratory rate, and mucus production causing a productive cough. However, decreased breath sounds signify a critical situation requiring immediate intervention.

5. A client with asthma has developed viral pharyngitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Petechiae on the chest and abdomen
• B. WBC 16,000/mm3
• C. Negative throat culture
• D. Severe hyperemia of pharyngeal mucosa

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Viral pharyngitis is typically caused by a virus, not bacteria, so a negative throat culture is an expected finding. The presence of petechiae on the chest and abdomen (Choice A) is not a common manifestation of viral pharyngitis. Elevated WBC count (Choice B) is more indicative of a bacterial infection rather than a viral one. Severe hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa (Choice D) is a possible finding in pharyngitis but is not specific to viral pharyngitis.

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