Question 1

Veins of the pulmonary circulation are similar to the veins of the systemic circulation,but contain no one-way valves.

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary veins are similar to veins in the systemic circulation, but they have no valves.

Question 2

How does surfactant produced by type II pneumocytes facilitate alveolar distention and ventilation?
A) By decreasing thoracic compliance
B) By attracting water to the alveolar surface
C) By decreasing surface tension in alveoli
D) By increasing surface tension in alveoli

Accepted Answer

Surfactant produced by type II pneumocytes decreases surface tension in alveoli, allowing them to expand more easily during inhalation and preventing them from collapsing during exhalation. This facilitates alveolar distention and ventilation.

Question 3

The oropharynx is considered part of a conduction airway.

Accepted Answer

The oropharynx is part of the passageway for air, as it connects the mouth and nasopharynx to the trachea and lungs.

Question 4

Where in the lung does gas exchange occur?
A) Trachea
B) Segmental bronchi
C) Alveolocapillary membrane
D) Both B and C

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange occurs between the air in the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli, which is known as the alveolocapillary membrane. The trachea and segmental bronchi primarily function as conduits for air to reach the alveoli.

Question 5

The lungs contain only superficial lymphatic capillaries.

Accepted Answer

The lungs contain both superficial and deep lymphatic capillaries.

Question 6

The bronchial circulation is part of the systemic circulation and does not participate in gas exchange.

Accepted Answer

The bronchial circulation is part of the systemic circulation and has no role in gas exchange.

Question 7

Which part of the brainstem provides basic automatic rhythm of respiration by sending efferent impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles?
A) Dorsal respiratory group
B) Ventral respiratory group
C) Pneumotaxic center
D) Apneustic center

Accepted Answer

The dorsal respiratory group (DRG) in the medulla oblongata is responsible for the basic automatic rhythm of respiration by sending efferent impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

Question 8

Normal physiologic changes in the aging pulmonary system include:
A) decreased flow resistance.
B) fewer alveoli.
C) stiffening of the chest wall.
D) improved elastic recoil.

Accepted Answer

Normal alterations include (1) loss of elastic recoil, (2) stiffening of the chest wall, (3) alterations in gas exchange, and (4) increases in flow resistance

Question 9

Which datum is used to assess the adequacy of a patient's alveolar ventilation?
A) Ventilatory rate
B) Ventilatory pattern
C) Respiratory effort
D) Arterial blood gas

Accepted Answer

Arterial blood gas (ABG) measurements provide information about the adequacy of a patient's alveolar ventilation. ABG analysis studies the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood and the bicarbonate concentration, which are all affected by alveolar ventilation. Ventilatory rate, pattern, and respiratory effort are important factors in determining adequate alveolar ventilation, but ABG measurements are the most definitive way to assess it.

Question 10

Ventilation exceeds perfusion in the bases of the lungs and perfusion exceeds ventilation in the apices of the lungs.

Accepted Answer

In the lungs, ventilation exceeds perfusion in the apices, while perfusion exceeds ventilation in the bases due to gravity's effect on blood flow and air distribution.

Question 11

The movement of gas and air into and out of the lungs is called:
A) perfusion.
B) ventilation.
C) respiration.
D) diffusion.

Accepted Answer

Ventilation is the movement of air or gas into and out of the lungs. Perfusion refers to the movement of blood through the blood vessels in the lungs, while respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the bloodstream. Diffusion refers to the movement of gases from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Question 12

_____ secrete surfactant,a lipoprotein that coats the inner surface of the alveoli.
A) Type I alveolar cells
B) Type II alveolar cells
C) Alveolar macrophages
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Type II alveolar cells secrete surfactant, a lipoprotein that coats the inner surface of the alveoli. Type I alveolar cells are involved in gas exchange and alveolar macrophages are specialized cells that remove debris and harmful substances from the lungs.

Question 13

Pressure in the pleural space is:
A) atmospheric.
B) below atmospheric.
C) above atmospheric.
D) variable.

Accepted Answer

The pressure in the pleural space is normally below atmospheric pressure, which helps to keep the lungs inflated. If the pressure becomes equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure, it can cause a collapse of the lung, known as a pneumothorax.

Question 14

What permits air to pass between alveoli providing collateral ventilation and even distribution among alveoli?
A) Type I alveolar cells
B) Pores of Kohn
C) Acinus pores
D) Alveolar pores

Accepted Answer

The pores of Kohn are small openings in the walls between alveoli, which allow for collateral ventilation and the even distribution of air among alveoli. Type I alveolar cells make up the walls of the alveoli, acinus pores refer to the openings of the individual alveoli, and alveolar pores are not a recognized anatomical feature.

Question 15

A male child aspirated a small piece of hot dog.On auscultation of his lungs,the nurse would most likely expect decreased or absent breath sound over his:
A) left lung.
B) right lung
C) trachea
D) carina.

Accepted Answer

If the child aspirated a small piece of hot dog, it is most likely that the piece entered the right bronchus, which is wider and more vertically oriented than the left bronchus. This would lead to decreased or absent breath sounds over the right lung. The trachea and carina would not be affected by this aspiration.

Question 16

There are no lymphatic vessels associated with:
A) tracheA.
B) bronchi
C) acinus.
D) terminal bronchioles.

Accepted Answer

The acinus is the functional respiratory unit of the lung. It consists of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli. However, there are no lymphatic vessels associated with the acinus. There are lymphatic vessels in other parts of the lung, such as the bronchi and terminal bronchioles. The absence of lymphatic vessels in the acinus is due to the delicate nature of the alveolar walls, which cannot accommodate the thick walls of lymphatic vessels.

Question 17

The trachea bifurcates into two bronchi at the carina.

Accepted Answer

The trachea bifurcates into two bronchi at the carina, which is a cartilaginous ridge located at the point where the trachea splits into the left and right bronchi.

Question 18

Why is aspiration of food or drink more likely to occur in one area of the lung rather than another?
A) The right main stem bronchus receives more aspirate because it extends more vertically from the tracheA.
B) The left main stem bronchus receives more aspirate because it is larger and shorter.
C) The trachea receives more aspirate because it comes in contact with the food and drink first.
D) The carina receives more aspirate because the location of where the bronchi split into right and left.

Accepted Answer

The right main stem bronchus is wider and extends more vertically from the trachea, making it more likely for aspirated food or drink to travel down into it rather than the left main stem bronchus.

Question 19

The peripheral chemoreceptors are not as sensitive as the central chemoreceptors.The PaO₂ must drop below 80 mm Hg before the peripheral chemoreceptors have much influence on ventilation.

Accepted Answer

Peripheral chemoreceptors are sensitive to changes in PaO2, but they typically respond when PaO2 drops below 60 mm Hg, not 80 mm Hg. Central chemoreceptors are more sensitive to changes in CO2 and pH.

Question 20

Which pulmonary defense mechanism propels a mucous blanket and entraps particles toward the oropharynx where they are swallowed or expectorated?
A) Nasal hairs and turbinates
B) Alveolar macrophages
C) Cilia
D) Irritant receptors on nares

Accepted Answer

Cilia are hair-like projections on the surface of the respiratory epithelium that beat rhythmically in a coordinated manner to propel the mucous blanket and any entrapped particles towards the oropharynx, where they can be swallowed or coughed up. Nasal hairs and turbinates filter large particles and irritants from inspired air, but they do not propel mucous. Alveolar macrophages are phagocytic cells that ingest and destroy foreign particles that reach the alveoli, but they are not involved in mucociliary clearance. Irritant receptors on nares are specialized nerve endings that trigger reflexes to sneeze or cough in response to irritants, but they do not actively participate in particle clearance from the airways.

Quiz 31: Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System

Veins of the pulmonary circulation are similar to the veins of the systemic circulation,but contain no one-way valves.

How does surfactant produced by type II pneumocytes facilitate alveolar distention and ventilation?

The oropharynx is considered part of a conduction airway.

Where in the lung does gas exchange occur?

The lungs contain only superficial lymphatic capillaries.

The bronchial circulation is part of the systemic circulation and does not participate in gas exchange.

Which part of the brainstem provides basic automatic rhythm of respiration by sending efferent impulses to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles?

Normal physiologic changes in the aging pulmonary system include:

Which datum is used to assess the adequacy of a patient's alveolar ventilation?

Ventilation exceeds perfusion in the bases of the lungs and perfusion exceeds ventilation in the apices of the lungs.

The movement of gas and air into and out of the lungs is called:

_____ secrete surfactant,a lipoprotein that coats the inner surface of the alveoli.

Pressure in the pleural space is:

What permits air to pass between alveoli providing collateral ventilation and even distribution among alveoli?

A male child aspirated a small piece of hot dog.On auscultation of his lungs,the nurse would most likely expect decreased or absent breath sound over his:

There are no lymphatic vessels associated with:

The trachea bifurcates into two bronchi at the carina.

Why is aspiration of food or drink more likely to occur in one area of the lung rather than another?

The peripheral chemoreceptors are not as sensitive as the central chemoreceptors.The PaO2 must drop below 80 mm Hg before the peripheral chemoreceptors have much influence on ventilation.

Which pulmonary defense mechanism propels a mucous blanket and entraps particles toward the oropharynx where they are swallowed or expectorated?

The peripheral chemoreceptors are not as sensitive as the central chemoreceptors.The PaO₂ must drop below 80 mm Hg before the peripheral chemoreceptors have much influence on ventilation.