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SNLE 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 Saudi Nursing Licensure Exam (SNLE), 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 SNLE respiratory nursing questions
1. Which type of transmission-based precaution is required for a patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis?
- A. Contact precautions
- B. Airborne precautions
- C. Droplet precautions
- D. Standard precautions only
Show answer and rationale
Pulmonary TB is spread by airborne droplet nuclei, so airborne precautions are required, including a negative-pressure room and a fitted respirator (N95/FFP2 or higher). A surgical mask does not protect staff adequately.
Reference: CDC Isolation Precautions Guideline
2. What is the leading risk factor for lung cancer?
- A. Cigarette smoking
- B. Frequent chest infections
- C. Asthma
- D. Low-fibre diet
Show answer and rationale
Cigarette smoking causes the large majority of lung cancers. Other risk factors include second-hand smoke, radon and occupational exposures such as asbestos.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – lung cancer
3. A patient with active pulmonary TB in an airborne isolation room needs to go to the radiology department. What should the nurse do?
- A. Postpone the investigation until the patient has completed treatment
- B. Have the patient wear an N95 respirator during transport
- C. Place a surgical mask on the patient for transport
- D. Transport the patient without a mask as long as the corridor is empty
Show answer and rationale
When a patient on airborne precautions must leave the room, the patient wears a surgical mask to contain respiratory secretions. Respirators are worn by staff, not by the patient during transport.
Reference: CDC Isolation Precautions Guideline
4. Which technique helps a patient with thick secretions clear the airway with less fatigue than repeated forceful coughing?
- A. Huff coughing (forced expiration technique)
- B. Breath-holding for 30 seconds
- C. Restricting oral fluids
- D. Lying flat after meals
Show answer and rationale
Huff coughing uses one or two forced exhalations with an open glottis to move secretions upwards with less effort and less airway collapse. Adequate hydration also helps thin secretions.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – airway clearance
5. A ventilator alarm sounds and the nurse cannot immediately find or correct the cause while the patient is becoming hypoxic. What should the nurse do?
- A. Silence the alarm and wait for the respiratory therapist
- B. Increase the ventilator oxygen to 100% and leave the room to find help
- C. Disconnect the patient from the ventilator and ventilate manually with a bag-valve device on oxygen
- D. Increase the patient's sedation
Show answer and rationale
If the problem cannot be quickly identified, the patient is removed from the ventilator and ventilated manually with a bag-valve device connected to oxygen while help is called. Alarms must never be silenced without addressing the cause.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – mechanical ventilation
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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