Breathing assessment

NCLEX-PN
Reduction of Risk Potential
Drag and drop
Difficulty 3 of 5

Question

A nurse reviews separate observations from an adult respiratory check. Sort each as expected or unexpected.

Expected

Both sides of the chest rise equally
Breathing follows a regular rhythm

Unexpected

Breathing requires visible effort
New wheezes are heard

Answer

Expected: Both sides of the chest rise equally; Breathing follows a regular rhythm · Unexpected: Breathing requires visible effort; New wheezes are heard

Rationale

Symmetric movement and a regular pattern fit an expected respiratory check. Effortful breathing and additional lung sounds are departures from that pattern.

RememberObserve breathing effort and listen for added sounds.

Sources

Sources marked “Adapted from” are licensed under CC BY 4.0. We changed the material: its facts are rewritten into an original question, answer options and rationale. The original authors and publishers do not endorse SwipeExam.

Adapted from Open RN Nursing Skills, 2nd edition: Chapter 10 Respiratory Assessment Open RN (Chippewa Valley Technical College) · License: CC BY 4.0 · Retrieved November 2, 2026 · RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT › Expected Versus Unexpected Findings · 2nd edition, 2023

Last verified: November 4, 2026 2 independent automated checks Question rn-rrp-02525, version 1

Checks are automated. No licensed clinician has reviewed this question. Check the sources and your program’s materials.

Report an error in this question. For education only; not medical advice. See all sources and licenses.