Questions for the Respiratory System

Questions for the Respiratory System Related

Review Questions for the Respiratory System related questions and content

Pulmonary ventilation is

  • A. Tidal volume + Respiratory rate
  • B. Tidal volume + Vital capacity
  • C. Tidal volume + Residual volume
  • D. Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Pulmonary ventilation is the total volume of air moved in and out of the lungs per minute. It is calculated by multiplying tidal volume (amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one breath) by respiratory rate (number of breaths per minute). Therefore, the correct answer is A: Tidal volume + Respiratory rate.

Choice B (Tidal volume + Vital capacity) is incorrect because vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation, not a component of pulmonary ventilation. Choice C (Tidal volume + Residual volume) is incorrect because residual volume is the volume of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal exhalation and is not involved in ventilation. Choice D (Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume) is incorrect because inspiratory reserve volume is the additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation and is not part of pulmonary ventilation calculation.

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A client is in the family practice clinic reporting a severe cold that started 4 days ago. On examination the nurse notes that the client also has a severe headache and muscle aches. What action by the nurse is best?

  • A. Educate the client on oseltamivir.
  • B. Facilitate admission to the hospital.
  • C. Instruct the client to have a flu vaccine.
  • D. Teach the client to sneeze in the upper sleeve.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Teach the client to sneeze in the upper sleeve. This action is best because the client is showing symptoms of a cold, which is typically caused by a virus spread through respiratory droplets. Instructing the client to sneeze in the upper sleeve can help prevent the spread of the virus to others. Choice A is incorrect because oseltamivir is used to treat influenza, not the common cold. Choice B is unnecessary as hospital admission is not typically warranted for a cold. Choice C is also incorrect as the client is already sick and a flu vaccine would not be effective at this point in time.

A 10 percent increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood will

  • A. decrease the rate of breathing
  • B. double the respiratory rate
  • C. decrease pulmonary ventilation
  • D. decrease the alveolar ventilation rate
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A 10% increase in CO2 levels triggers chemoreceptors to signal the brainstem, increasing the respiratory rate to eliminate excess CO2. This is known as hypercapnia-induced hyperventilation. Option A is incorrect because an increase in CO2 levels would not decrease the rate of breathing. Option C is incorrect because an increase in CO2 would actually stimulate an increase in pulmonary ventilation to remove the excess CO2. Option D is incorrect because alveolar ventilation (gas exchange in the lungs) would increase, not decrease, to maintain proper oxygen and CO2 levels in the body.

Following a motor vehicle accident, the nurse assesses the driver for which distinctive sign of flail chest?

  • A. Severe hypotension
  • B. Chest pain over ribs
  • C. Absence of breath sounds
  • D. Paradoxical chest movement
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Flail chest is characterized by paradoxical chest movement, where a segment of the chest wall moves in the opposite direction during breathing. This can lead to respiratory compromise and requires careful monitoring and management.

Pain with chronic stable angina is due to:

  • A. Rubbing of epicardium against the pericardial sac.
  • B. Insufficient blood flow due to narrowing of the coronary arteries
  • C. Irritation of cardiac nerve endings in the chest wall
  • D. Dilation of the coronary arteries to increase blood flow
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because chronic stable angina is caused by insufficient blood flow due to narrowing of the coronary arteries, leading to inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle during exertion. This results in chest pain.

A is incorrect as there is no rubbing of epicardium against the pericardial sac in chronic stable angina.
C is incorrect as the pain is not due to irritation of cardiac nerve endings in the chest wall.
D is incorrect as dilation of the coronary arteries does not cause pain in chronic stable angina; it is actually a compensatory mechanism to increase blood flow in response to decreased oxygen supply.

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide is greatest in

  • A. venous blood
  • B. alveolar air
  • C. expired air
  • D. inspired air
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: venous blood. In the body, carbon dioxide is carried in the blood, primarily in the form of bicarbonate ions. Venous blood, returning from tissues to the heart, has higher levels of carbon dioxide compared to arterial blood. This results in a higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide in venous blood. Alveolar air (B) has a lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide due to gas exchange in the lungs, while expired air (C) has even lower levels as carbon dioxide is exhaled. Inspired air (D) has the lowest partial pressure of carbon dioxide as it has not yet entered the body.

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