1.
Which of the following lists of anatomical features is presented in the correct order in which air flows from the outside into the nose and to the lungs?
Correct Answer
A. OropHarynx - LaryngopHarynx - Larynx - Hyoid Bone
Explanation
The correct answer is Oropharynx - Laryngopharynx - Larynx - Hyoid Bone. This order represents the pathway of air flow from the outside into the nose and to the lungs. The oropharynx is the region behind the mouth where the air enters, followed by the laryngopharynx which is the lower part of the throat. Next, the air passes through the larynx, also known as the voice box, which connects the pharynx to the trachea. Finally, the air reaches the hyoid bone, which is a bone in the neck that supports the tongue and other structures involved in breathing and swallowing.
2.
Which of the following is not one of the cartilages visible around the glottic opening during direct laryngoscopy?
Correct Answer
D. Cricoid
Explanation
The cricoid cartilage is not one of the cartilages visible around the glottic opening during direct laryngoscopy. The cartilages that are visible during this procedure include the arytenoid, cuneiform, and corniculate cartilages. The cricoid cartilage is located below the arytenoid cartilages and forms the lower part of the larynx. It is not directly visible during direct laryngoscopy as it is covered by other structures.
3.
Which of the following statements concerning the lower airway structures is FALSE?
Correct Answer
C. There are three lobes in the left lung and two lobes to the right lung
Explanation
The correct statement is that there are three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left lung.
4.
Which of the following statements is FALSE concerning gas exchange in the body?
Correct Answer
A. Gas flows along a diffusion gradient from mixtures at low partial pressures to gaseous mixtures of high partial pressure
Explanation
Gas flows along a diffusion gradient from mixtures at low partial pressures to gaseous mixtures of high partial pressure. This statement is false because gas actually flows along a diffusion gradient from mixtures at high partial pressures to gaseous mixtures of low partial pressure. In other words, gas molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
5.
Which of the following is NOT a way in which the pediatric airway differs from the adult airway?
Correct Answer
B. The cricoid ring in the pediatric airway is smaller and the trachea is more rigid
Explanation
The cricoid ring in the pediatric airway being smaller and the trachea being more rigid is not a way in which the pediatric airway differs from the adult airway. This means that the cricoid ring and trachea in the pediatric airway are not smaller and more rigid compared to the adult airway.
6.
Which of the following statements is the definition of ventillation?
Correct Answer
D. Mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs
Explanation
The correct answer is "Mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs." This statement accurately defines ventilation as the physical act of inhaling and exhaling air in order to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. It specifically refers to the movement of air into and out of the lungs, highlighting the mechanical aspect of the process.
7.
Suppose you are standing on a rock at an elevation of 10,000 ft where the ambient air pressure is 500 mmHg. What is the partial pressure of environmental oxygen at this elevation?
Correct Answer
C. 105
Explanation
At higher elevations, the air pressure decreases. The partial pressure of a gas is the pressure exerted by that gas in a mixture of gases. Since oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth's atmosphere, the partial pressure of oxygen at any elevation can be calculated by multiplying the total air pressure by the fraction of oxygen in the atmosphere. In this case, the partial pressure of oxygen can be calculated by multiplying 500 mmHg (ambient air pressure) by 0.21 (fraction of oxygen in the atmosphere), which equals 105 mmHg. Therefore, the correct answer is 105.
8.
Which of the following factors DOES NOT affect the pressure gradient during respiration?
Correct Answer
C. Alveolar compliance
Explanation
Alveolar compliance refers to the ability of the alveoli in the lungs to expand and contract. It is a measure of the elasticity of the lung tissue. While alveolar compliance does play a role in respiration, it does not directly affect the pressure gradient. The pressure gradient during respiration is primarily determined by the differences in pressure between the atmosphere, intrapleural space, and alveoli. Therefore, alveolar compliance is not a factor that directly affects the pressure gradient during respiration.
9.
What type of process is expiration of air from the lungs?
Correct Answer
B. Passive
Explanation
Expiration of air from the lungs is a passive process. This means that it does not require any active effort or muscle contraction. During expiration, the muscles of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, causing the volume of the thoracic cavity to decrease. As a result, the pressure inside the lungs increases, and air is pushed out passively through the airways. This process is in contrast to inspiration, which is an active process that involves the contraction of these muscles to expand the thoracic cavity and allow air to enter the lungs.
10.
Which of the following is NOT an accesory muscle of respiration?
Correct Answer
A. External intercostals
Explanation
The external intercostals are actually accessory muscles of respiration. They are located between the ribs and help elevate the ribcage during inhalation, aiding in the expansion of the chest cavity. The sternocleidomastoid, scalene, and abdominal muscles are also accessory muscles of respiration, as they assist in the breathing process.
11.
Which of the following best defines the term compliance?
Correct Answer
B. Ease of ventillation
Explanation
Compliance refers to the ease with which the lungs can expand and contract during ventilation. It is a measure of the distensibility or elasticity of the lung tissue. A high compliance means that the lungs can easily expand and contract, allowing for efficient ventilation. Therefore, the term "ease of ventilation" best defines compliance. The other options, including rigidity of alveolar walls, softness of the trachea, and flexibility of the bronchioles, do not accurately describe compliance.
12.
Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning the different lung volumes and capacities?
Correct Answer
C. Total lung capacity is equal to the vital capacity plus the residual volume
Explanation
The total lung capacity refers to the maximum amount of air that the lungs can hold. It is calculated by adding the vital capacity, which is the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation, and the residual volume, which is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after a maximum exhalation. Therefore, the statement that total lung capacity is equal to the vital capacity plus the residual volume is true.
13.
Suppose your patient is tachypnic with shallow breaths and completely absent lung sounds on the left side. You assess that the average respiratory rate over a minute is 40 and that your patient is only filling one lung with air, and even then it is only filling up half way. You assume that both lungs typically share the load evenly, and that your patient's healthy tidal volume should be about 500-mL. What is the estimated minute volume for this patient?
Correct Answer
A. 5 L/min
Explanation
Here is an explanation of this one... MV = RR x TV. RR = 40 bpm. What is TV? We know that the normal TV is 500-mL spread evenly across both lungs. Only one lung is working, so the TV is at best 250-mL. However, we assume the lung is only filling up halfway, so TV is really half of 250-mL, or 125-mL. Thus, MV = 40 bpm x 125-mL = 500-mL/min.
14.
Which of the following leads to an increase in FiO2?
Correct Answer
B. Supplemental oxygen
Explanation
Supplemental oxygen leads to an increase in FiO2 because it involves providing additional oxygen to a patient who is not able to maintain adequate oxygen levels on their own. This can be done through various methods such as oxygen masks or nasal cannulas. By delivering higher concentrations of oxygen, the FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) is increased, which helps to improve oxygenation and meet the patient's oxygen needs.
15.
With respect to normal respiration, where is the lowest partial pressure of carbon dioxide found at sea level on Earth?
Correct Answer
B. AtmospHere
Explanation
The lowest partial pressure of carbon dioxide is found in the atmosphere. This is because carbon dioxide is constantly being exchanged between the atmosphere and other parts of the body during respiration. When we exhale, we release carbon dioxide from our lungs into the atmosphere, which helps to maintain a balance of gases in the air. Therefore, the atmosphere has the lowest concentration of carbon dioxide compared to other locations such as tissues, alveoli, and the bloodstream.
16.
How is the majority of oxygen transported to the tissues in the blood?
Correct Answer
B. Bound to hemoglobin molecules
Explanation
The majority of oxygen is transported to the tissues in the blood by being bound to hemoglobin molecules. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that has a high affinity for oxygen. Oxygen molecules bind to the iron atoms in the heme groups of hemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin. This allows for efficient transportation of oxygen throughout the body, where it can be released to the tissues that need it.
17.
Which of the following terms is defined as a "decreased amount of oxygen saturated hemoglobin in the blood stream"?
Correct Answer
D. Hypoxemia
Explanation
Hypoxemia is defined as a decreased amount of oxygen saturated hemoglobin in the bloodstream. It occurs when there is a deficiency of oxygen in the blood, leading to inadequate oxygen supply to the body's tissues and organs. This can be caused by various factors such as lung diseases, heart conditions, or high altitudes. Hypoxemia can result in symptoms like shortness of breath, rapid breathing, confusion, and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin). Treatment aims to address the underlying cause and improve oxygen levels in the blood.
18.
What does it mean when the oxgen dissociation curve shifts to the left?
Correct Answer
B. Hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen for a given partial pressure of oxygen in blood
Explanation
When the oxygen dissociation curve shifts to the left, it means that hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen for a given partial pressure of oxygen in the blood. This means that hemoglobin is able to bind to oxygen more tightly, resulting in less oxygen being released to the tissues. This shift can occur due to factors such as increased pH, decreased temperature, or decreased levels of carbon dioxide.
19.
Which of the following law basically states that at a given temperature, the solubility of a gas in liquid is proportional to its partial pressure?
Correct Answer
D. Henry's Law
Explanation
Henry's Law states that at a given temperature, the solubility of a gas in a liquid is proportional to its partial pressure. This means that as the partial pressure of a gas increases, the solubility of the gas in the liquid also increases. Conversely, if the partial pressure decreases, the solubility of the gas in the liquid also decreases. This law is particularly important in understanding the behavior of gases in solutions, such as the dissolving of oxygen in water.
20.
Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning respiration?
Correct Answer
C. A hiccough is a spasm of the diapHragm
Explanation
A hiccough is a spasm of the diaphragm. This means that during a hiccough, the diaphragm muscle, which is responsible for controlling breathing, contracts involuntarily and causes a sudden intake of breath. This can lead to the characteristic "hic" sound that is associated with hiccoughs.
21.
Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of the older person's airway?
Correct Answer
A. Decreased tracheal compliance
Explanation
The older person's airway undergoes several changes as they age. These changes include increased dead space, altered chest compliance, and altered control of respiration. However, decreased tracheal compliance is not a typical characteristic of the older person's airway. Tracheal compliance refers to the ability of the trachea to expand and contract during breathing. While other changes may occur in the older person's airway, decreased tracheal compliance is not typically observed.
22.
Which of the following is TRUE concerning the regulation of respiration?
Correct Answer
C. The primary involuntary respiratory center is located on the brain stem in the medulla
Explanation
The primary involuntary respiratory center is located on the brain stem in the medulla. This is true because the medulla oblongata, which is part of the brain stem, contains the respiratory centers that control the basic rhythm and depth of breathing. These centers send signals to the muscles involved in respiration, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, to regulate the process of breathing.