Deck 35: Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System

Question 1

If a patient develops acidosis, the nurse would expect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to react in which manner?

A)Shift to the right, causing more oxygen (O₂) to be released to the cells
B)Shift to the left, allowing less O₂ to be released to the cells
C)Show no change, allowing the O₂ concentration to remain stable
D)Show dramatic fluctuation, allowing the O₂ concentration to increase

Answer 1

Shift to the right, causing more oxygen (O₂) to be released to the cells

Question 2

Surfactant produced by type II alveolar cells facilitates alveolar distention and ventilation by which mechanism?

A)Decreasing thoracic compliance
B)Attracting water to the alveolar surface
C)Decreasing surface tension in the alveoli
D)Increasing surface tension in the alveoli

Answer 2

Decreasing surface tension in the alveoli

Question 3

A healthcare professional wants to determine the adequacy of a person's alveolar ventilation. What assessment finding is most important for the professional to consider?

A)Respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min
B)Ventilatory pattern is regular and rhythmic.
C)Respiratory effort is strained with muscle involvement.
D)Arterial blood gas shows a PaCO2 of 44 mmHg.

Answer 3

Arterial blood gas shows a PaCO2 of 44 mmHg.

Question 4

Air passage among alveoli is collateral and evenly distributed because of the function of which structures?

A)Type I alveolar cells
B)Pores of Kohn
C)Acinus pores
D)Alveolar pores

Question 5

Hypoventilation that results in the retention of carbon dioxide will stimulate which receptors in an attempt to maintain a normal homeostatic state?

A)Irritant receptors
B)Central chemoreceptors
C)Peripheral chemoreceptors
D)Stretch receptors

Question 6

A newborn has alveolar collapse, decreased lung expansion, increased work of breathing, and severe gas-exchange abnormalities and the student asks the healthcare professional for an explanation of what is happening. What response by the professional is best?

A)A decrease in lung compliance from the trauma of a long childbirth process
B)A traumatic pneumothorax from a prolonged and difficult labor
C)Damage done to the alveoli from exposure to supplemental oxygen at birth
D)Lack of surfactant leading to increased alveolar surface tension and fluid collection

Question 7

Where in the lung does gas exchange occur?

A)Trachea
B)Segmental bronchi
C)Alveolocapillary membrane
D)Main bronchus

Question 8

Which term is used to identify the movement of gas and air into and out of the lungs?

A)Perfusion
B)Ventilation
C)Respiration
D)Diffusion

Question 9

When an individual aspirates food particles, where would the healthcare professional expect to hear decreased or absent breath sounds?

A)Left lung
B)Right lung
C)Trachea
D)Carina

Question 10

What pulmonary defense mechanism propels a mucous blanket that entraps particles moving toward the oropharynx?

A)Nasal turbinates
B)Alveolar macrophages
C)Cilia
D)Irritant receptors on the nares

Question 11

Which describes the pressure in the pleural space?

A)Atmospheric
B)Below atmospheric
C)Above atmospheric
D)Variable

Question 12

Which structures secrete surfactant?

A)Type I alveolar cells
B)Type II alveolar cells
C)Alveolar macrophages
D)Stretch receptors

Question 13

The lung is innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system via which nerve?

A)Vagus
B)Phrenic
C)Brachial
D)Pectoral

Question 14

The student asks the professor to explain what characteristic is demonstrated by lungs with decreased compliance?

A)Difficult deflation
B)Easy inflation
C)Stiffness
D)Inability to diffuse oxygen

Question 15

Which part of the brainstem provides basic automatic rhythm of respiration by sending efferent impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles?

A)Dorsal respiratory group (DRG)
B)Ventral respiratory group (VRG)
C)Pneumotaxic center
D)Apneustic center

Question 16

What event is characteristic of the function in Zone 1 of the lung?

A)Blood flow through the pulmonary capillary bed increases in regular increments.
B)Alveolar pressure is lesser than venous and arterial pressures.
C)The capillary bed collapses, and normal blood flow ceases.
D)Blood flows through Zone 1, but it is impeded by alveolar pressure.

Question 17

How is most of the oxygen in the blood transported?

A)Dissolved in plasma
B)Bound to hemoglobin
C)In the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂)
D)Bound to protein

Question 18

The sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles are referred to as which group?

A)Diaphragmatic muscles
B)Muscles of expiration
C)Intercostal muscles
D)Accessory muscles of inspiration

Question 19

Stretch receptors and peripheral chemoreceptors send afferent impulses regarding ventilation to which location in the brain?

A)Pneumotaxic center in the pons
B)Apneustic center in the pons
C)Dorsal respiratory group (DRG) in the medulla oblongata
D)Ventral respiratory group (VRG) in the medulla oblongata

Question 20

Which normal physiologic change occurs in the aging pulmonary system?

A)Decreased flow resistance
B)Fewer alveoli
C)Stiffening of the chest wall
D)Improved elastic recoil

Question 21

Which of these cause the airway epithelium to constrict? (Select all that apply.)

A)Histamines
B)Prostaglandins
C)Alveolar alkalosis
D)Alveolar acidosis
E)Serotonin

Question 22

Which receptors are located in the smooth muscles of airways?

A)Central chemoreceptors
B)Stretch receptors
C)Peripheral chemoreceptors
D)J-receptors

Question 23

Which receptors are located in the aortic bodies, aortic arch, and carotid bodies?

A)Central chemoreceptors
B)Stretch receptors
C)J-receptors
D)Peripheral chemoreceptors

Question 24

Which receptors are located near the respiratory center?

A)Peripheral chemoreceptors
B)Stretch receptors
C)Central chemoreceptors
D)J-receptors

Question 25

What is the most important cause of pulmonary artery constriction?

A)Low alveolar partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂)
B)Hyperventilation
C)Respiratory alkalosis
D)Epinephrine

Question 26

How low must the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) drop before the peripheral chemoreceptors influence ventilation?

A)Below 100 mmHg
B)Below 80 mmHg
C)Below 70 mmHg
D)Below 60 mmHg

Question 27

A patient is having a spirometry measurement done and asks the healthcare professional to explain this test. What response by the professional is best?

A)To evaluate the cause of hypoxia
B)To measure the volume and flow rate during forced expiration
C)To measure the gas diffusion rate at the alveolocapillary membrane
D)To determine pH and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations

Question 28

What does the pathophysiology student learn about the respiratory process referred to as remodeling? (Select all that apply.)

A)Remodeling involves the vascular walls.
B)Scarring and thickening occurs during this process.
C)Remodeling results in a permanent change.
D)Pulmonary artery hypotension results.
E)Remodeling increases blood flow resistance.

Question 29

A healthcare professional who works in a senior center knows about the effects of aging on the pulmonary system, which include which of these? (Select all that apply.)

A)Decreased chest wall compliance
B)Decreased lung recoil
C)Reduced ventilatory reserve
D)Decreased partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂)
E)Reduced respiratory rate

Question 30

Which structures belong to the upper conduction airway? (Select all that apply.)

A)Oropharynx
B)Larynx
C)Nasopharynx
D)Trachea
E)Bronchi

Question 31

A healthcare professional tells the student that a properly placed endotracheal tube for mechanical ventilation is 5 to 7 cm above the tracheal bifurcation. Where does this bifurcation occur?

A)Larynx
B)Bronchi
C)Carina
D)Nasopharynx