Respiratory Physiology Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the movement of air in and out of the lungs that maintains normal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels?

  • Perfusion
  • Ventilation (correct)
  • Diffusion
  • Inspiration
  • During a physical examination, which lung sounds are characterized by being loud and having a prolonged expiration phase?

  • Sonorous wheezes
  • Bronchial sounds (correct)
  • Vesicular sounds
  • Bronchovesicular sounds
  • To obtain arterial blood gases (ABGs) for assessing blood oxygenation, which site is typically used?

  • A puncture in the radial artery (correct)
  • A cotton swab from the nasopharynx
  • An intravenous catheter in the arm vein
  • The trachea and bronchi
  • What is the primary purpose of assessing arterial blood gases (ABGs) in a patient with respiratory distress?

    <p>To determine blood pH, oxygen levels, and carbon dioxide levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a typical site for arterial blood gas sampling?

    <p>Venous upper extremity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structural component is NOT part of the upper respiratory system?

    <p>Bronchioles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function does the nasal mucosa serve in the respiratory system?

    <p>Provides a sense of smell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the turbinate bones in the nasal cavity?

    <p>Modify airflow to warm and humidify inspired air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which paranasal sinus is located behind the nasal cavity?

    <p>Sphenoidal sinus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected function of the ciliated mucous lining in the nasal cavities?

    <p>To trap dust and microorganisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the paranasal sinuses contribute to respiratory health?

    <p>They reduce the weight of the skull and protect the respiratory tract.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following structures is primarily responsible for the filtration of inspired air?

    <p>Turbinate bones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common effect of aging on the respiratory system?

    <p>Reduced effectiveness of the respiratory muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the red vessels in the circulatory system?

    <p>They deliver oxygen filled blood away from the lungs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the circulatory system aid in gas exchange in the lungs?

    <p>By transporting oxygen-rich blood away and carbon dioxide-rich blood towards the alveoli.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the partial pressure of CO2 in the blood as it approaches the alveoli?

    <p>It increases, creating a gradient for gas exchange.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of blood do the blue vessels carry?

    <p>Deoxygenated blood filled with carbon dioxide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key requirement for effective gas exchange?

    <p>Presence of both respiratory and circulatory systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important for pulmonary capillaries to continuously bring CO2-rich blood to the alveoli?

    <p>To create a higher partial pressure of CO2 compared to alveolar air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function do the tiny capillaries around the alveoli serve?

    <p>They supply the alveoli with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary factor creating the partial pressure gradients necessary for gas exchange?

    <p>The continuous movement of blood in the pulmonary capillaries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the larynx?

    <p>Produce sound</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent aspiration?

    <p>Epiglottis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the pharynx contains the openings of the eustachian tubes?

    <p>Nasopharynx</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure divides the trachea into the right and left bronchi?

    <p>Carina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the largest cartilage in the trachea, part of which forms the Adam's apple?

    <p>Thyroid cartilage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of the right mainstem bronchus makes aspiration of foreign objects more likely?

    <p>It is larger and more vertical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding the esophagus?

    <p>It is usually collapsed unless food is present</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the trachea protect the lower airway from foreign objects?

    <p>By facilitating coughing when stimulated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function do the kidneys perform in maintaining acid-base balance?

    <p>Excrete excess hydrogen ions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process is primarily responsible for eliminating carbonic acid from the body?

    <p>Alveolar ventilation through CO2 regulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes bronchial circulation from pulmonary circulation?

    <p>Bronchial circulation provides nutrients to lung tissues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a low V/Q ratio indicate in the lungs?

    <p>Obstruction of distal airways</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario would be characterized by a high V/Q ratio?

    <p>Pulmonary embolism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of hemoglobin in oxygen transport?

    <p>To load and unload oxygen reversibly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a 'silent unit' in gas exchange?

    <p>Absence of adequate airflow and blood flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these best describes pulmonary circulation?

    <p>Delivers venous blood to the lungs for gas exchange</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered the single most important contributor to lung disease?

    <p>Smoking history</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a respiratory assessment, which of the following is NOT typically evaluated during a physical examination?

    <p>Heart rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which breath sound is characterized by a high-pitched, non-continuous sound that resembles static?

    <p>Crackles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are vesicular breath sounds described?

    <p>Produced by air movement in bronchi and alveoli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What respiratory condition is indicated by increased sputum production or a change in color/consistency of mucus?

    <p>Pulmonary congestion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which modality is used to assess tactile or vocal fremitus during a respiratory examination?

    <p>Percussion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic sound of sonorous wheezes?

    <p>Full and deep, lower pitched</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physical sign should be checked for during the inspection of the nose in a respiratory assessment?

    <p>Signs of infection or injury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to the Respiratory System

    • The respiratory system's purpose is to exchange gases (oxygen & carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment.
    • It consists of both upper and lower airways; the upper airway filters, warms, and humidifies air, moving it toward the lower airway.
    • The lower airway transports air to the lungs, where gas exchange takes place in the alveoli.

    Chapter Objectives

    • Describe normal structures and functions of the respiratory system.
    • Identify how aging affects the respiratory system.
    • List data to collect when caring for a patient with a respiratory disorder.
    • Recognize findings during inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the chest.
    • Identify common diagnostic tests for respiratory disorders.
    • Plan nursing care for patients undergoing diagnostic tests.
    • Discuss therapeutic measures used to help patients with respiratory disorders.

    Normal Respiratory Anatomy

    • Upper Airway: Nose, sinuses, turbinates, pharynx, larynx
    • Lower Airway: Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, alveoli

    Nose and Nasal Cavities

    • Nares are the external openings of the nose.
    • The nasal septum divides the internal nose into two cavities.
    • The nasal cavities have a vascular and ciliated mucous lining that warms and humidifies air.
    • Olfactory sensory cells in the nasal mucosa detect smells.
    • Turbinate bones (conchae) change the flow of inspired air, warming and moisturizing it, and trapping dust and microorganisms.

    Paranasal Sinuses

    • Frontal sinuses are located in the frontal bone above the eye sockets.
    • Ethmoid sinuses are small, honeycomb-like spaces between the eyes, in the ethmoid bone.
    • Sphenoid sinuses lie behind the nasal cavity in the sphenoid bone.
    • Maxillary sinuses are the largest and most accessible sinuses located in the cheekbones, on either side of the nose.

    Pharynx (Throat)

    • Carries air to the larynx and food to the esophagus.
    • Divided into three areas: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngeal pharynx.
    • Nasopharynx is near the nose and above the soft palate, contains adenoids (pharyngeal tonsils) and openings of the eustachian tubes.
    • Oropharynx is near the mouth and contains the tongue and palatine tonsils (they help prevent infection).
    • Laryngeal pharynx is near the larynx.

    Larynx (Voice Box)

    • Cartilaginous framework between the pharynx and trachea.
    • Primary function is producing sound.
    • Protects the lower airway from foreign objects (coughing).
    • The pharynx, palate, tongue, teeth, and lips shape the sounds made by the vocal cords into speech.
    • Important structures include the epiglottis (cartilaginous valve covering the larynx during swallowing), the glottis (opening between the vocal cords), vocal cords (vibrating to produce sound), cricoid cartilage (only complete cartilaginous ring in the larynx), and the thyroid cartilage (forms the Adam's apple).

    Trachea (Windpipe)

    • Hollow tube made of smooth muscle and C-shaped cartilage.
    • Cartilage is incomplete on the posterior surface.
    • Transports air from the laryngeal pharynx to the bronchi and lungs.
    • Bifurcates (divides) at the carina into the right and left bronchi.
    • The carina triggers coughing and bronchospasm to prevent foreign object aspiration.

    Bronchi and Bronchioles

    • Right main stem bronchus is shorter, more vertical, and larger than the left.
    • Foreign objects more likely to be aspirated into the right side.
    • Bronchi branch into smaller bronchi and then into terminal bronchioles.

    Lungs and Alveoli

    • Paired elastic structures in the thoracic cavity.
    • Alveoli are small, clustered sacs that begin where bronchioles end.
    • Three alveolar cell types: Type I (95% surface area), Type II (5% surface area producing surfactant that reduces surface tension), Type III (alveolar macrophages that ingest foreign matter).
    • Approximately 300 million alveoli in adult lungs.
    • The capillaries surrounding alveoli facilitate oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

    Alveoli Details

    • Alveolus is a thin membrane-lined sac.
    • Gas exchange occurs across the thin alveolar and capillary walls.
    • Alveoli are numerous (millions), thus creating a huge surface area for gas exchange.

    Pulmonary Capillaries

    • Pulmonary capillaries provide deoxygenated blood, and oxygenated blood to/from the alveoli.
    • This structure is crucial for efficiently oxygenating and deoxygenating the blood

    Accessory Structures

    • Diaphragm: Separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities. Inspiration involves respiratory muscle contraction (the diaphragm flattens out), enlarging the chest and creating a partial vacuum to draw air in. During exhalation, respiratory muscles relax and the diaphragm returns to its original position.
    • Mediastinum: Wall dividing the thoracic cavity into two halves, composed of the visceral and parietal pleura. Visceral pleura covers the lung surface, the parietal pleura covers the chest wall.

    Did You Know

    • Airway patency is constantly maintained, even during sleep.
    • The esophagus collapses when not carrying food.

    The Mechanism of Ventilation

    • Inhalation is more effort-intensive than exhalation because respiratory muscles contract during inhalation.
    • Rib cage moves up and out during inhalation, diaphragm flattens.
    • The opposite occurs during exhalation.

    Lung Volumes

    • Vital Capacity (VC): Maximum amount of air exchanged during a full breath.
    • Typically, VC is between 3400-3800 ml in males and 3800 ml in females.

    Lung Volumes: Tidal Volume

    • Normal breathing usually only uses a fraction of vital capacity. The tidal volume (TV) takes the normal respiratory cycle into account during inhalation and exhalation

    Lung Volumes: Inspiratory & Expiratory Reserve Volumes

    • Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) is the max volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration.
    • Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) is the max volume that can be exhaled after a normal expiration.

    Diffusion

    • Diffusion is the transfer of oxygen or carbon dioxide across a capillary or alveolar capillary membrane or between cells.
    • High concentration of gas moves toward a low concentration; CO2 in cells moves into blood.
    • CO2 diffuses from the blood into alveoli.

    Gas Exchange: Capillaries and Alveoli

    • Blood carries CO2 from body tissues to the lungs.
    • CO2 diffuses from capillaries into alveoli.
    • Blood in the pulmonary capillaries receives oxygen from alveoli.
    • Oxygen diffuses from alveoli to pulmonary capillaries

    Requirements for Gas Exchange

    • Circulatory system is required to bring blood quickly to and from the lungs.
    • Blood passing through the pulmonary capillaries efficiently carries oxygen or carbon dioxide to and from the alveoli.

    Alveolar Respiration

    • Alveolar respiration determines the level of CO2 in the body.
    • The analysis of ABGs (arterial blood gases) determines the alveolar ventilation.

    Perfusion

    • Blood supply to the lungs; nutrients and oxygen supplied through bronchial and pulmonary circulation.
    • Bronchial circulation supports the structures of the respiratory tract.
    • Pulmonary circulation supplies blood to gas exchange.

    Pulmonary Circulation

    • Transport of venous blood into the lungs, the right and left sides of the lungs are supplied by this system.
    • Blood circulates to and from the lungs through pulmonary capillaries.
    • This is considered a low-pressure system.

    Ventilation/Perfusion Ratio (V/Q Ratio)

    • Measures the efficiency of airflow and gas exchange in the lungs.
    • A low V/Q ratio indicates a shunt.
    • A high V/Q ratio indicates dead space.
    • A silent unit occurs when there is a lack of airflow and blood flow.

    Oxygen Transport

    • Oxygen loading and unloading of hemoglobin happens in two steps: pulmonary capillaries and peripheral tissues.

    Respiration and Acid-Base Balance

    • Compensation for imbalances by respiratory and/or renal systems, such as with acidosis and alkalosis.

    Diagnostic Tests for the Respiratory System

    • ABGs: measuring arterial blood gases (pH, O2, CO2, and HCO3) to evaluate respiratory function.
    • Pulmonary function studies: assesses lung's functional capacity during inhalation and exhalation.
    • Sputum studies: diagnosing infections or cancer by examining collected sputum samples.
    • Imaging studies: chest X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to view the lungs and surrounding structures.
    • Pulmonary angiography: visualizing lung's blood vessels.
    • Lung scans (VQ scan): examine blood and air flow in lungs.
    • Gallium scan: Identifies inflammation, abscesses, adhesions, or tumors in lungs.
    • Bronchoscopy: visualizes larynx, trachea, and bronchi; biopsies, treatments.
    • Laryngoscopy: visualization and treatment of larynx.
    • Mediastinoscopy: visualization of mediastinum from an incision above sternum.
    • Thoracoscopy: examining pleural cavities; aspiration of fluid & tissue biopsies.
    • Thoracentesis: aspiration of fluid or air from the pleural space.

    Other Considerations

    • Breathing exercises like diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing.
    • Oxygen therapy (low-flow devices, masks, and high-flow devices).
    • Chest drainage, tracheostomy; Mechanical and noninvasive ventilation (BiPap, CPAP).

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of respiratory physiology concepts, including air movement in the lungs, lung sounds, and arterial blood gas sampling techniques. This quiz covers essential questions that are fundamental for understanding respiratory assessment in clinical settings.

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