1. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to

position a patient who has difficulty breathing?

a) Supine with the head elevated

b) Prone with the head elevated

c) Semi-Fowler's position

d) Trendelenburg position

Answer: c) Semi-Fowler's position

Rationale: Semi-Fowler's position allows for maximum

lung expansion and reduces the work of breathing. Supine

position may cause airway obstruction, prone position may

impair ventilation, and Trendelenburg position may

increase intracranial pressure.

2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a nasogastric

(NG) tube for gastric decompression. Which of the

following actions should the nurse take to prevent

complications associated with NG tube placement?

a) Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of sterile water every 4

hours

b) Clamp the tube when the patient is eating or drinking

c) Check the tube placement by aspirating gastric contents

and measuring pH

d) Tape the tube securely to the patient's nose and cheek

Answer: c) Check the tube placement by aspirating gastric

contents and measuring pH

Rationale: Checking the tube placement by aspirating

gastric contents and measuring pH is the most reliable

method to ensure that the tube is in the stomach and not in

the lungs or esophagus. Irrigating the tube may cause fluid