Free Practice Quiz Question List

6 Early Recognition of Respiratory Deterioration Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 6 Early Recognition of Respiratory Deterioration, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of $95\%$ on room air, but is newly confused and working harder to breathe. True or false: the saturation reading rules out the need for urgent reassessment and escalation.

A
True
B
False

Choose all

1 point

Which factors can affect a pulse oximeter reading? Select all that apply.

A
Poor circulation
B
Movement
C
Skin pigmentation
D
Skin temperature
E
Nail polish
F
A patient's prescribed oxygen target

Choose one

1 point

A breathless, restless patient has a fingertip oxygen saturation reading of $97\%$ , but their hands are cold and the displayed pulse does not match the measured pulse. What is the best response?

A
Accept the reading as accurate because it is within a usual range, then reassess later.
B
Assess the patient, check sensor position and signal, repeat the measurement at a suitable site, and escalate if the patient appears unwell.
C
Keep adjusting the fingertip sensor until the reading changes before assessing the patient.
D
Give additional oxygen solely to make the displayed saturation higher.

Written response

1 point

You are handing over a patient's worsening condition and want to communicate the concern in a structured way. What communication tool is identified as suitable?

True or false

1 point

True or false: If a patient with COPD becomes drowsy and confused, continue oxygen titrated to their prescribed target while urgent help is obtained; do not withhold needed oxygen.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

An arterial blood gas shows a low pH together with raised $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ . What primary acid–base disorder does this pattern indicate?

Choose all

1 point

When escalating a patient's deterioration, which information should be included in the handover? Select all that apply.

A
The change and trend in observations
B
The patient's oxygen use
C
Relevant history
D
Your clinical concern
E
Only the latest oxygen saturation, without the trend
F
A decision to wait until the patient becomes cyanotic

Choose one

1 point

A patient with COPD and a documented oxygen target of $88\text{–}92\%$ becomes drowsy and confused. Their ABG shows $\mathrm{pH}=7.29$ , $\mathrm{PaCO_2}=68\ \mathrm{mmHg}$ , and $\mathrm{HCO_3^-}=32\ \mathrm{mmol/L}$ . Which interpretation and next step are most appropriate?

A
The ABG is reassuring because the bicarbonate is raised; continue routine observations.
B
The patient has isolated low oxygen, so increase oxygen without further assessment.
C
The findings are concerning for acute-on-chronic ventilatory failure; urgently escalate for assessment and possible higher-level support while maintaining the prescribed oxygen target.
D
The patient has respiratory alkalosis and should be observed until the next routine ABG.

Choose one

1 point

Thirty minutes after receiving an opioid, a patient is difficult to rouse. Their respiratory rate has fallen from $16$ to $8$ breaths per minute, and their oxygen saturation is $92\%$ on supplemental oxygen. What is the priority concern and response?

A
Wait for the oxygen saturation to fall further before acting.
B
Suspect respiratory depression, stay with the patient, assess airway, breathing, and responsiveness, and activate the appropriate urgent response.
C
Treat the saturation reading as proof that ventilation is adequate.
D
Encourage the patient to sleep and repeat observations at the next routine check.

Choose one

1 point

A patient with severe asthma is exhausted, can no longer speak in full sentences, and has a very faint “silent chest.” Their ABG shows $\mathrm{pH}=7.36$ and $\mathrm{PaCO_2}=40\ \mathrm{mmHg}$ . Is this ABG reassuring, and what should happen?

A
No. In severe asthma with exhaustion and a silent chest, a normal PaCO₂ can signal fatigue and impending ventilatory failure; urgently escalate care.
B
Yes. A normal PaCO₂ rules out ventilatory failure, so routine monitoring is sufficient.
C
Yes. The ABG is reassuring if oxygen saturation has not fallen.
D
No. The pH alone proves respiratory alkalosis and should be treated without urgent assessment.

Open ended

1 point

A patient admitted with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of $95\%$ on room air. Over the next hour, their respiratory rate rises from $20$ to $30$ breaths per minute, they begin using accessory muscles, and they become newly confused. Describe your priority assessment and escalation response.

True or false

1 point

True or false: When assessing possible respiratory deterioration, compare the patient’s findings with their baseline and use their prescribed oxygen target rather than relying on a single measurement.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A patient with pneumonia has an SpO₂ of 95% on room air, but their respiratory rate rises from 20 to 30 breaths per minute, they begin using accessory muscles, and they become confused. What should guide your immediate priority?

A
Wait for the SpO₂ to fall before acting.
B
Reassess promptly and activate the local urgent escalation pathway.
C
Focus on the SpO₂ reading because it is within an acceptable range.
D
Repeat the SpO₂ later, without changing the current plan.

Choose one

1 point

A breathless, restless patient has cold hands, and the pulse shown by the oximeter does not match the measured pulse. What is the most appropriate response?

A
Accept the displayed value because it is above 95%.
B
Keep repeating the measurement on the same cold fingertip before assessing the patient.
C
Check sensor position and signal, repeat at a suitable site, assess the patient, and escalate promptly if they appear unwell.
D
Treat the displayed pulse as accurate even though it does not match the measured pulse.

Choose one

1 point

Thirty minutes after receiving an opioid, a patient is difficult to rouse and their respiratory rate has fallen from 16 to 8 breaths per minute. What is the priority response?

A
Stay with the patient, assess airway, breathing, and responsiveness, and activate the appropriate urgent response.
B
Wait for cyanosis or a lower SpO₂ before calling for help.
C
Give additional opioid medication and reassess later.
D
Rely on the SpO₂ reading because supplemental oxygen is being given.

Written response

1 point

A patient’s arterial blood gas shows pH 7.29 and $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ 68 mm Hg. What acid-base disorder does the low pH with raised $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ indicate?

Choose one

1 point

A patient with severe asthma is exhausted, cannot speak in full sentences, and has very faint air entry. Their $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ is 40 mm Hg. Is this result reassuring?

A
Yes. A normal PaCO₂ rules out ventilatory failure.
B
No. In severe asthma with exhaustion and a silent chest, a normal PaCO₂ can signal fatigue and impending ventilatory failure.
C
Yes. A normal PaCO₂ is reassuring whenever the patient is still breathing.
D
No. But only because any PaCO₂ of 40 mm Hg is abnormal.

Written response

1 point

What four-letter acronym names the structured communication method recommended for handing over a patient’s deterioration?

Fill in the blank

1 point

In a patient with severe asthma, a silent chest is an that warrants urgent escalation.

Fill in the blank

1 point

In a patient with COPD, an elevated bicarbonate level may reflect some chronic .

6 Early Recognition of Respiratory Deterioration Online Quiz Questions

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