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OMSB Respiratory Nursing Practice Questions
Respiratory questions test oxygen therapy, airway care and recognising respiratory failure, including the classic COPD and asthma scenarios. Below are 5 free sample questions for the OMSB nursing exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Oxygen delivery devices and target saturations
- COPD and controlled oxygen
- Asthma management and inhaler technique
- Chest drains and tracheostomy care
- ABG interpretation
- TB and pneumonia nursing care
The full bank has 89 respiratory nursing questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free OMSB respiratory nursing questions
1. Which safety precaution is essential when a patient is receiving oxygen therapy?
- A. Keep the oxygen cylinder lying flat on the bed
- B. Use petroleum jelly on the lips and nostrils
- C. Allow smoking only if the oxygen is turned down
- D. Prohibit smoking and open flames near the oxygen
Show answer and rationale
Oxygen supports combustion, so smoking and naked flames must be prohibited near oxygen. Petroleum-based products are flammable; water-based lubricants should be used, and cylinders must be secured upright.
Reference: Potter & Perry – oxygen safety
2. Which information cannot be obtained from pulse oximetry?
- A. Carbon dioxide levels and ventilation
- B. The percentage of haemoglobin saturated with oxygen
- C. The pulse rate
- D. Trends in oxygenation over time
Show answer and rationale
Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation and pulse rate but gives no information about CO2 or adequacy of ventilation; a patient may have normal SpO2 on oxygen while retaining CO2. An ABG or capnography is needed to assess CO2.
Reference: Potter & Perry – pulse oximetry
3. Which condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
- A. Vomiting for several days
- B. Anxiety with hyperventilation
- C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
- D. Opioid overdose with a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min
Show answer and rationale
Hypoventilation from opioid-induced respiratory depression retains CO2, causing respiratory acidosis. Vomiting causes metabolic alkalosis, hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis, and DKA causes metabolic acidosis.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – acid-base imbalances
4. A high-pressure alarm sounds on a patient's mechanical ventilator. Which is a likely cause?
- A. Secretions in the airway needing suction
- B. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
- C. A leak around a deflated endotracheal tube cuff
- D. The patient becoming apnoeic
Show answer and rationale
High-pressure alarms indicate increased resistance to flow, such as secretions, kinked tubing, coughing, biting the tube or bronchospasm. Disconnections and cuff leaks trigger low-pressure alarms.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – mechanical ventilation
5. What is the main purpose of directly observed therapy (DOT) in tuberculosis treatment?
- A. To reduce the number of drugs needed
- B. To allow treatment to stop after two weeks
- C. To ensure adherence to the full course of treatment
- D. To replace the need for sputum monitoring
Show answer and rationale
DOT involves a health worker watching the patient take each dose, which improves adherence and reduces treatment failure and drug resistance. Sputum monitoring is still needed.
Reference: WHO Tuberculosis Treatment Guidelines
Study tip
Know the COPD target saturation range (88–92%) and when an asthma attack is becoming life-threatening (silent chest, exhaustion, falling SpO2).
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