NCLEX RN Questions on Respiratory System Related

Review NCLEX RN Questions on Respiratory System related questions and content

Severing the sensory fibers from the lungs would result in all of the following except

  • A. less inhibition of the inspiratory center during forced breathing
  • B. a drop in tidal volume
  • C. potential damage to the lungs due to overinflation
  • D. a disappearance of the Hering-Breuer reflexes
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: a drop in tidal volume. Severing sensory fibers from the lungs would lead to decreased feedback to the brain, resulting in less inhibition of the inspiratory center and potentially overinflation of the lungs (choice C). The Hering-Breuer reflexes, responsible for preventing lung over-inflation, would disappear (choice D). However, tidal volume is primarily controlled by the respiratory muscles and respiratory center in the brain, not solely by sensory input from the lungs. Hence, severing sensory fibers would not directly lead to a drop in tidal volume.