Home › Qatar DHP exam › Respiratory Nursing
Qatar DHP 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 Qatar DHP (QCHP) nursing qualifying 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 Qatar DHP respiratory nursing questions
1. Which item should always be kept at the bedside of a patient with a new tracheostomy?
- A. A spare tracheostomy tube of the same size and one size smaller, with an obturator
- B. A nasogastric tube
- C. An incentive spirometer only
- D. A urinary catheter kit
Show answer and rationale
Spare tubes (same size and one smaller) and the obturator must be at the bedside for emergency replacement if the tube is dislodged. Suction and oxygen equipment should also be available.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – tracheostomy care
2. Which position is most likely to ease breathing for a patient with COPD who is short of breath?
- A. Supine with legs elevated
- B. Prone with a pillow under the abdomen
- C. Left lateral with knees flexed
- D. Sitting upright and leaning forward with arms resting on a table
Show answer and rationale
The tripod or orthopnoeic position lowers the diaphragm and allows the accessory muscles to work more effectively. Lying flat increases the work of breathing.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – COPD
3. After a pneumonectomy, how is the patient usually positioned?
- A. Prone
- B. Lying fully on the non-operative side
- C. Trendelenburg
- D. Supine or a quarter turn towards the operative side, with the head raised
Show answer and rationale
After pneumonectomy, the patient is usually positioned supine or partly turned towards the operative side so the remaining lung is not compressed and can expand fully. Lying fully on the non-operative side compromises the only remaining lung and may promote mediastinal shift.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – thoracic surgery
4. A patient is admitted with suspected community-acquired pneumonia. Which should the nurse ensure is done before the first dose of antibiotic?
- A. A chest CT scan
- B. A bronchoscopy
- C. Collection of sputum and blood cultures
- D. Pulmonary function testing
Show answer and rationale
Cultures should be collected before antibiotics so that the causative organism can be identified, but they must not significantly delay antibiotic administration. CT, bronchoscopy and lung function tests are not routinely required first.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – pneumonia
5. A chest drain tube accidentally disconnects from the drainage unit. What should the nurse do immediately?
- A. Clamp the tube for several hours until a doctor arrives
- B. Remove the chest drain from the patient
- C. Lie the patient flat and wait for the doctor
- D. Submerge the end of the tube 2–3 cm in sterile water, then reconnect to a new sterile system
Show answer and rationale
Placing the end of the tube in sterile water re-establishes a water seal and prevents air entering the pleural space until a new system is connected. Prolonged clamping risks tension pneumothorax, and the nurse must not remove the drain.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – chest drainage
Study tip
Know the COPD target saturation range (88–92%) and when an asthma attack is becoming life-threatening (silent chest, exhaustion, falling SpO2).
Practise the full Qatar DHP bank
Unlock all 1,500 questions, practice by topic, and unlimited timed 150-question mock tests in the Qatar DHP format (180 minutes, 65% practice pass mark). One-time $19.
More Qatar DHP practice topics
Qatar DHP exam guide: format, booking and study plan →