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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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.
The 'Adams' Apple' is the:
- A. thyroid cartilage.
- B. cricoid cartilage.
- C. corniculate cartilage.
- D. cuneiform cartilage.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 'Adams' Apple' is the prominent bulge in the front of the neck and corresponds to the thyroid cartilage. This cartilage forms the largest part of the larynx and is more prominent in males due to hormonal differences. The cricoid cartilage (Choice B) is located below the thyroid cartilage. Corniculate cartilage (Choice C) and cuneiform cartilage (Choice D) are smaller cartilages in the larynx and are not responsible for the 'Adams' Apple' prominence.
A nurse performs an admission assessment on a client with a diagnosis of tuberculosis. The nurse reviews the results of which diagnostic test that will confirm this diagnosis?
- A. Bronchoscopy.
- B. Sputum culture.
- C. Chest x-ray.
- D. Tuberculin skin test.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sputum culture. This test confirms the diagnosis of tuberculosis by identifying the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the sputum sample. It is the gold standard for diagnosing active tuberculosis. Bronchoscopy (A) is invasive and used to visualize the airways, not for confirming TB diagnosis. Chest x-ray (C) may show characteristic findings of TB, but it does not confirm the diagnosis. Tuberculin skin test (D) only indicates exposure to TB bacteria, not active infection.
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.
A female patient suffers acute respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of shock. The patient's condition deteriorates rapidly, and endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are initiated. When the high-pressure alarm on the mechanical ventilator, alarm sounds, the nurse starts to check for the cause. Which condition triggers the high-pressure alarm?
- A. Kinking of the ventilator tubing.
- B. A disconnected ventilator tube.
- C. An endotracheal cuff leak.
- D. A change in the oxygen concentration without resetting the oxygen level alarm.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kinking of the ventilator tubing. This condition can cause a blockage in the airflow, leading to increased pressure in the ventilator circuit, triggering the high-pressure alarm. Kinking restricts the flow of air, causing a buildup of pressure in the system. This situation can lead to inadequate ventilation and potential harm to the patient.
Choice B, a disconnected ventilator tube, would trigger a low-pressure alarm rather than a high-pressure alarm because the disconnection would result in a loss of pressure. Choice C, an endotracheal cuff leak, would not directly cause an increase in pressure within the ventilator circuit. Choice D, a change in oxygen concentration without resetting the alarm, would not trigger the high-pressure alarm but rather an oxygen alarm if the concentration falls outside the set range.
In summary, kinking of the ventilator tubing is the correct answer as it directly leads to increased pressure in the ventilator circuit, triggering the high-pressure alarm.