Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a pleural effusion and who underwent a thoracoscopic procedure earlier in the morning. The nurse should prioritize assessment for which of the following?
- A. Sputum production
- B. Shortness of breath
- C. Throat discomfort
- D. Epistaxis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Shortness of breath. Following a thoracoscopic procedure for a pleural effusion, shortness of breath is a priority assessment as it could indicate complications such as pneumothorax or respiratory distress. Sputum production (A) may be important but is secondary to respiratory distress. Throat discomfort (C) and epistaxis (D) are not directly related to the procedure or potential complications and would not be the priority assessment in this scenario.
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What type of muscle wraps around a respiratory bronchiole and can change the diameter of the airway?
- A. skeletal muscle
- B. smooth muscle
- C. cardiac muscle
- D. voluntary muscle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: smooth muscle. Smooth muscle is the type of muscle that wraps around a respiratory bronchiole and can contract or relax to change the diameter of the airway. This allows for regulation of airflow in the respiratory system. Skeletal muscle (choice A) is attached to bones and is under voluntary control, not found in the bronchioles. Cardiac muscle (choice C) is specific to the heart and does not control airway diameter. Voluntary muscle (choice D) refers to skeletal muscle, which is not present in the bronchioles and does not regulate airway diameter involuntarily.
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.
Partial pressure of oxygen in the inspired and expired air is respectively
- A. 158 and 116 mm Hg
- B. 158 and 40 mm Hg
- C. 100 and 95 mm Hg
- D. 40 and 95 mm hg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (158 and 116 mm Hg) because in inspired air, the partial pressure of oxygen is around 158 mm Hg, which corresponds to the atmospheric oxygen level. During expiration, some oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide, leading to a decrease in oxygen partial pressure to around 116 mm Hg.
Choice B is incorrect because the partial pressure of oxygen in expired air is not as high as 40 mm Hg, which is too low for the oxygen content in the air we breathe.
Choice C is incorrect because the partial pressure of oxygen in inspired air is not exactly 100 mm Hg, and the partial pressure in expired air is not as close to 95 mm Hg.
Choice D is incorrect because the partial pressure of oxygen in inspired air is not as low as 40 mm Hg, and the partial pressure in expired air is not as high as 95 mm Hg.
In general, when looking at acid-base balance, how does the body compensate with metabolic acidosis?
- A. Lungs ""blow off"" CO2 to raise pH
- B. Lungs retain CO2 to lower pH
- C. Kidneys retain more HCO3 to raise the pH
- D. Kidneys excrete more HCO3 to lower pH
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. In metabolic acidosis, the lungs compensate by increasing respiratory rate and depth ('blowing off' CO2) to reduce acidity and raise pH. B is incorrect because retaining CO2 would worsen acidosis. C is partially true long-term but slower acting than pulmonary compensation. D is incorrect because excreting bicarbonate lowers pH further.
During inspiration
- A. diaphragm relaxes and thoracic space decrease
- B. diaphragm contract only
- C. Diaphragm contract and thoracic space increase
- D. both A and D
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts, causing it to move downward and increase the thoracic space. This creates a negative pressure in the lungs, allowing air to rush in. Choice A is incorrect as the diaphragm contracts rather than relaxes during inspiration. Choice B is incorrect since other muscles like the external intercostals also aid in expanding the thoracic cavity. Choice D is incorrect because it combines a correct statement with an incorrect one. Therefore, the correct answer is C as it accurately describes the process of inspiration involving both diaphragm contraction and an increase in thoracic space.