Free Practice Quiz Question List

6 Respiratory Emergencies and Complications Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 6 Respiratory Emergencies and Complications, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

A patient in severe respiratory distress becomes quieter and makes less effort to breathe, but remains confused and visibly ill. Is the reduced respiratory effort a sign that the patient is recovering?

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

What is the clinical term for breathlessness that occurs when a person lies flat?

Choose one

1 point

A patient with suspected acute pulmonary edema is breathless and hypoxemic. Which plan is most appropriate if noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation is being considered?

A
Use CPAP for every patient with crackles, regardless of alertness or airway protection.
B
Consider CPAP for a selected patient who is alert and can protect their airway, while monitoring closely.
C
Use CPAP only after the patient becomes unresponsive.
D
Avoid emergency evaluation if CPAP briefly improves oxygen saturation.

Fill in the blank

1 point

Pulse oximetry estimates but does not measure .

Choose all

1 point

Which findings can indicate upper-airway obstruction? Select all that apply.

A
Stridor
B
Prolonged exhalation with wheezing
C
Difficulty speaking
D
Weak or absent cough

Written response

1 point

For an adult with a pulse who is not breathing normally, what interval between breaths does AHA guidance consider reasonable? Enter the interval in seconds.

True or false

1 point

During monitoring with waveform capnography, a sudden loss of the waveform warrants immediate assessment of the patient and the airway, breathing circuit, and circulation.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A conscious adult has severe foreign-body airway obstruction. Which response follows the recommended initial sequence?

A
Give abdominal thrusts only once, then wait to see whether the obstruction clears.
B
Perform a blind finger sweep before attempting to clear the obstruction.
C
Repeat five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts; use chest thrusts if abdominal thrusts are not suitable.
D
Begin chest compressions while the person remains conscious.

Fill in the blank

1 point

In a patient with severe asthma, a CO₂ level can be concerning for fatigue and ventilatory failure.

Choose all

1 point

A patient with respiratory failure is receiving initial support. Which developments call for immediate escalation and consideration of invasive airway management? Select all that apply.

A
Worsening mental status
B
Inability to protect the airway
C
A single low oxygen saturation reading that improves and remains improved with treatment
D
Hemodynamic instability or failure to improve

Choose one

1 point

A patient remains poorly ventilated despite receiving supplemental oxygen. Which statement best explains why oxygen alone may not solve the problem?

A
Supplemental oxygen directly corrects both oxygenation and inadequate ventilation.
B
Supplemental oxygen may improve hypoxemia but does not correct inadequate ventilation.
C
Ventilation refers only to oxygen transfer into the blood.
D
Oxygenation and ventilation mean the same thing.

Open ended

1 point

A patient with a severe asthma exacerbation becomes confused and exhausted. The CO₂ level, which was previously low, is now normalizing. Explain why this change may be concerning and describe the immediate priorities for care.

Choose one

1 point

A clinician interprets an end-tidal CO₂ value in a patient with severe lung disease and poor perfusion. Which statement should guide interpretation?

A
End-tidal CO₂ always equals arterial CO₂, so either value can be substituted for the other.
B
End-tidal CO₂ measures oxygen transfer into the blood.
C
End-tidal CO₂ and arterial CO₂ may diverge, particularly with severe lung disease or poor perfusion.
D
End-tidal CO₂ is useful only when a patient is awake and breathing without assistance.

True or false

1 point

A severely ill patient’s breathing effort begins to decrease. This may signal respiratory fatigue rather than recovery.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A patient is hypoxemic and also has inadequate ventilation. Which statement best explains the role of supplemental oxygen?

A
It corrects inadequate ventilation by removing carbon dioxide.
B
It may improve hypoxemia but does not correct inadequate ventilation.
C
It directly confirms that the airway is patent.
D
It makes assessment of the patient’s breathing unnecessary.

Choose one

1 point

An adult with a pulse is not breathing normally. Which approach is appropriate when providing bag-mask ventilation?

A
Give rapid breaths until the oxygen saturation rises.
B
Give forceful breaths to ensure the lungs are fully inflated.
C
Provide controlled breaths aimed at visible chest rise, avoiding rapid or forceful ventilation.
D
Withhold ventilation and rely on supplemental oxygen alone.

Choose one

1 point

A conscious adult has severe foreign-body airway obstruction, and abdominal thrusts are suitable. Which sequence should be used?

A
Five abdominal thrusts followed by five back blows
B
Continuous abdominal thrusts without back blows
C
Five chest thrusts followed by five back blows for every patient
D
Five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts, repeating the cycle

Choose one

1 point

A patient with COPD and risk of carbon-dioxide retention is hypoxemic. Which oxygen strategy best matches the adult acute-care guideline described?

A
Titrate oxygen toward an SpO₂ target of 88–92%, following the patient’s condition and local protocol.
B
Titrate oxygen toward an SpO₂ target of 94–98% for every patient.
C
Withhold oxygen regardless of hypoxemia.
D
Increase oxygen until the saturation reaches 100%, without reassessment.

Written response

1 point

Which monitoring method is recommended to confirm and monitor endotracheal-tube placement during resuscitation?

Written response

1 point

A patient with acute pulmonary edema is markedly breathless but can tolerate sitting. What position should you place the patient in while arranging urgent emergency evaluation?