LPN exams respiratory practice questions, set 11

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LPN exams respiratory practice questions set 11

You pick airway, oxygen, and breathing actions in the order a nurse actually moves. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the LPN exams exam guide or more LPN exams practice questions.

Five respiratory questions with answers

Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.

Question 1

During lower tracheostomy the most vessel liable to injury is:

  1. A. superior thyroid artery
  2. B. inferior thyroid artery
  3. C. inferior thyroid vein
  4. D. internal jugular vein
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — inferior thyroid vein

A lower tracheostomy involves an incision below the thyroid isthmus, typically between the 2nd and 4th tracheal rings, to create an airway. The superior thyroid artery (A) arises from the external carotid and supplies the upper thyroid, far from this site. The inferior thyroid artery (B), from the thyrocervical trunk, supplies the lower thyroid and lies posterior, near the recurrent laryngeal nerve, but is less exposed. The inferior thyroid veins (C) drain the thyroid plexus into the brachiocephalic veins, running anteriorly across the trachea, making them highly vulnerable during midline incision. The internal jugular vein (D) lies lateral, near the carotid sheath, and is less at risk unless the incision deviates significantly. Anatomical variations (e.g., a thyroid ima artery) exist, but C is the most consistently endangered due to its anterior position and delicate nature.

Question 2

Rate and depth of respiration shall increase when

  1. A. Oxygen concentration increases
  2. B. CO2 concentration increases
  3. C. Bicarbonate concentration increases
  4. D. Bicarbonate concentration decrease
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — CO2 concentration increases

The correct answer is B: CO2 concentration increases. When CO2 levels rise in the blood, it leads to an increase in the acidity of the blood, triggering the respiratory centers in the brain to increase the rate and depth of respiration in order to expel excess CO2 and restore the pH balance. Explanation for other choices: A: Oxygen concentration increases - An increase in oxygen concentration does not directly stimulate an increase in respiration rate or depth. The respiratory drive is primarily regulated by CO2 levels. C: Bicarbonate concentration increases - While bicarbonate is involved in the acid-base balance in the body, it does not directly influence the rate and depth of respiration. D: Bicarbonate concentration decreases - A decrease in bicarbonate concentration may affect acid-base balance, but it does not have a direct effect on respiratory rate and depth.

Question 3

Following a stab wound in the chest wall, the lung will and the chest wall will?

  1. A. Expand, expand
  2. B. Both become fixed at the FRC
  3. C. Collapse, collapse
  4. D. Expand, collapse
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Collapse, collapse

A stab wound causing pneumothorax allows air into the pleural space, disrupting the negative intrapleural pressure (~-4 to -6 mmHg) that keeps lungs expanded. This equalizes pleural pressure to atmospheric (760 mmHg), eliminating the force opposing lung elastic recoil, which pulls the lung inward to collapse toward the hilum, reducing its volume. Meanwhile, the chest wall's outward recoil, no longer countered by lung tension, causes it to expand outward, increasing thoracic diameter. Thus, the lung collapses and the chest wall expands, a classic pneumothorax feature. Both expanding defies recoil mechanics, fixing at FRC ignores pressure loss, and collapse-collapse misrepresents chest wall behavior. This dynamic reflects the opposing elastic properties unleashed by pleural breach, critical for understanding respiratory compromise and interventions like chest tube placement.

Question 4

Following a stab wound in the chest wall, the lung will and the chest wall will?

  1. A. Expand, expand
  2. B. Both become fixed at the FRC
  3. C. Collapse, collapse
  4. D. Expand, collapse
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Collapse, collapse

A stab wound causing pneumothorax allows air into the pleural space, disrupting the negative intrapleural pressure (~-4 to -6 mmHg) that keeps lungs expanded. This equalizes pleural pressure to atmospheric (760 mmHg), eliminating the force opposing lung elastic recoil, which pulls the lung inward to collapse toward the hilum, reducing its volume. Meanwhile, the chest wall's outward recoil, no longer countered by lung tension, causes it to expand outward, increasing thoracic diameter. Thus, the lung collapses and the chest wall expands, a classic pneumothorax feature. Both expanding defies recoil mechanics, fixing at FRC ignores pressure loss, and collapse-collapse misrepresents chest wall behavior. This dynamic reflects the opposing elastic properties unleashed by pleural breach, critical for understanding respiratory compromise and interventions like chest tube placement.

Question 5

The largest cross-sectional area and therefore lower resistance of airways?

  1. A. Trachea
  2. B. Alveoli
  3. C. Bronchioles
  4. D. A + C
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Alveoli

Airway resistance follows Poiseuille's law (R ∝ 1/r^4), but total cross-sectional area governs overall resistance. The trachea, a single tube (~2 cm diameter), has ~3-4 cm² area. Bronchioles, numbering thousands, reach ~300 cm² collectively at terminal stages, yet pale beside alveoli. Alveoli (~300 million) total ~70-100 m² (~700,000-1,000,000 cm²) during inspiration, dwarfing other structures. This vast area slows airflow velocity, reducing resistance to negligible levels at the gas exchange site, where diffusion dominates. Resistance peaks in medium bronchi due to turbulent flow, not alveoli, despite their tiny individual size (~0.2 mm). Trachea and bronchioles handle bulk flow with higher resistance. Alveoli's massive area minimizes resistance, making them the correct choice, critical for efficient ventilation and distinguishing their role from conducting airways.

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Question 6

What is the role of alveolar macrophages?

  1. A. to secrete pulmonary surfactant
  2. B. to secrete antimicrobial proteins
  3. C. to remove pathogens and debris
  4. D. to facilitate gas exchange
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Question 7

The movement of both oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body is accomplished by

  1. A. exocytosis and endocytosis
  2. B. bulk flow.
  3. C. osmosis
  4. D. diffusion.
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Question 8

Which of the following will decrease diffusion?

  1. A. Decreased surface area
  2. B. Increased fluid in the lung
  3. C. Decreased pressure coefficient
  4. D. All the above
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Question 9

During inspiration, air passes into lungs due to

  1. A. Increase in volume of thoracic cavity and fall in lung pressure
  2. B. Fall in pressure inside the lungs
  3. C. Increased volume of thoracic cavity
  4. D. Muscular expansion of lungs
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Question 10

A 64-year-old female is admitted to the hospital. She has smoked two packs per day for 30 years. While providing her history, she becomes dyspneic and appears very anxious. She has a cough with thick white sputum production. Her chest is barrel shaped. Based on these data, the nurse will need to develop a plan of care for a client with?

  1. A. Pneumonia.
  2. B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  3. C. Tuberculosis.
  4. D. Asthma.
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Question 11

Which adverse reaction should the nurse include in teaching a client who has received the influenza vaccine?

  1. A. Experiencing a sore muscle at the immunization site
  2. B. Rhinorrhea and low-grade fever
  3. C. Hives and numbness of the fingers and toes
  4. D. Malaise and myalgia for the first 24 hours post-vaccination
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Question 12

Which adverse reaction should the nurse include in teaching a client who has received the influenza vaccine?

  1. A. Experiencing a sore muscle at the immunization site
  2. B. Rhinorrhea and low-grade fever
  3. C. Hives and numbness of the fingers and toes
  4. D. Malaise and myalgia for the first 24 hours post-vaccination
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Question 13

Nurse Ruth assessing a patient for tracheal displacement should know that the trachea will deviate toward the:

  1. A. Contralateral side in a simple pneumothorax.
  2. B. Affected side in a hemothorax.
  3. C. Affected side in a tension pneumothorax.
  4. D. Contralateral side in hemothorax.
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Question 14

The inspiratory capacity is a total of what two pulmonary volumes?

  1. A. tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume
  2. B. vital capacity and tidal volume
  3. C. vital capacity and inspiratory reserve volume
  4. D. residual volume and tidal volume
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Question 15

A 12 years-old boy has a severe asthmatic attack with wheezing. His arterial pO2 is 60 mmHg and pCO2 is 30 mmHg. His:

  1. A. FEV1/FVC % is increased
  2. B. V/Q ratio is increased in the affected areas of his lung
  3. C. Arterial pCO2 is higher than normal because of inadequate gas exchange
  4. D. Arterial pCO2 is lower than normal because hypoxemia is causing him to hyperventilate
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About these LPN exams respiratory questions

LPN exams respiratory practice questions, set 11 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the LPN exams exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

Keep going past these 15 questions

Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.