Respiratory Review Questions

Which of these cells would be most effective in the disposal of inspired microorganisms that may enter the alveoli? a. alveolar macrophages b. type II alveolar cells c. lymphocytes in blood circulating through the lungs d. type I alveolar cells

A. alveolar macrophages Alveolar macrophages wander freely, ingesting and destroying invading microorganisms or foreign matter.

Tidal volume is air __________. a. exchanged during normal breathing b. inhaled after normal inspiration c. forcibly expelled after normal expiration d. remaining in the lungs after forced expiration

A. exchanged during normal breathing

As the tension of vocal folds in the larynx increase, the voice becomes ________. a. higher in pitch b. lower in pitch c. more distinct d. louder

A. higher in pitch

Which of the following pressures must remain negative to prevent lung collapse? a. intrapleural pressure b. atmospheric pressure c. transpulmonary pressure d. intrapulmonary pressure

A. intrapleural pressure Intrapleural pressure is created as the lungs attempt to shrink away from the thoracic wall. This negative pressure, as well as the adherence due to moisture, is what keeps the lungs from collapsing.

Which of the following is responsible for holding the lungs to the thorax wall? a. surface tension from pleural fluid and negative pressure in the pleural cavity b. the visceral pleurae and the changing volume of the lungs c. the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles alone d. the smooth muscles of the lung

A. surface tension from pleural fluid and negative pressure in the pleural cavity

Which volumes are combined to provide the inspiratory capacity? a. tidal volume (TV) and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) b. tidal volume (TV), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and residual volume (RV) c. expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and residual volume (RV) d. tidal volume (TV), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), and expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

A. tidal volume (TV) and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) The inspiratory capacity, which is the total amount of air that can be taken into the lungs after a normal relaxed exhalation, is equal to the tidal volume (TV) plus inspiratory reserve volume (IRV).

__________ pressure, the difference between the intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressures, prevents the lungs from collapsing. a. transpulmonary b. intra-alveolar c. transthoracic d. atmospheric

A. transpulmonary The transpulmonary pressure is the difference between the intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressures. It is this pressure that keeps the air spaces of the lungs open, or, phrased another way, keeps the lungs from collapsing.

What structure prevents food and liquids from entering the trachea? a. vestibular folds b. epiglottis c. glottis d. laryngeal prominence

B. epiglottis During swallowing, the larynx is pulled superiorly and the epiglottis tips to cover the laryngeal inlet. Because this action keeps food out of the lower respiratory passages, the epiglottis has been called the guardian of the airways.

Inspiration occurs when the _________ is less than the __________. a. thoracic cavity volume; lung volume b. intrapulmonary pressure; atmospheric pressure c. intrapleural pressure; transpulmonary pressure d. tidal volume; vital capacity

B. intrapulmonary pressure; atmospheric pressure

Which of the following regions contains the opening of a canal that equalizes pressure in the middle ear? a. oropharynx b. nasopharynx c. larynx d. laryngopharynx

B. nasopharynx The opening to the pharyngotympanic tube is in the nasopharynx above the uvula and near the pharyngeal tonsil.

Which of the following cavities surround(s) the lungs alone? a. pericardial cavity b. pleural cavities c. thoracic cavity d. mediastinum

B. pleural cavities The pleural cavities, which are located between the visceral and parietal pleural membranes, surround the lungs alone.

Which of the following refers to the movement of air into and out of the lungs? a. internal respiration b. pulmonary ventilation c. external respiration d. gas exchange

B. pulmonary ventilation

What is the amount of air that is normally ventilated in one breath? A. vital capacity B. tidal volume C. expiratory reserve volume D. inspiratory reserve volume

B. tidal volume A tidal volume is the amount of air in a normal breath under resting conditions. One way to remember this is to compare tidal breathing to ocean tides that go in and out, day and night, without ceasing.

The relationship between gas pressure and gas volume is described by ________. a. Henry's law b. Dalton's law c. Boyle's law d. Charles' law

C. Boyle's law

Which of the following maintains the patency (openness) of the trachea? a. surfactant production b. pseudostratified ciliated epithelium c. C-shaped cartilage rings d. surface tension of water

C. C-shaped cartilage rings

Most inspired particles such as dust fail to reach the lungs because of the _________. a. abundant blood supply to nasal mucosa b. action of the epiglottis c. ciliated mucous lining in the nose d. porous structure of turbinate bones

C. ciliated mucous lining in the nose

Which of the following processes is NOT properly matched with its description? a. pulmonary ventilation: movement of gases into and out of the lungs b. internal respiration: O2 diffuses out of the blood c. external respiration: CO2 diffuses into the blood stream d. transport of respiratory gases: O2 is bound to hemoglobin

C. external respiration: CO2 diffuses into the blood stream CO2 diffuses into the blood as it passes through the systemic capillaries of the tissues; this is internal respiration.

Which of the following pressures rises and falls with the phases of breathing but eventually equalizes with the pressure of the air in the environment? a. intrapleural pressure b. atmospheric pressure c. intrapulmonary pressure d. transpulmonary pressure

C. intrapulmonary pressure Intrapulmonary pressure rises when the thorax volume is reduced (during exhalation) and drops when the thorax volume rises (during inhalation). When there is no change in thorax volume, intrapulmonary pressure equalizes with the atmospheric pressure.

Which of the following creates an adhesive force that prevents separation of the parietal and visceral pleurae during ventilation? a. lung elasticity b. alveolar fluid surface tension c. negative intrapleural pressure d. negative intrapulmonary pressure

C. negative intrapleural pressure A negative respiratory pressure refers to a pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure (Patm). Intrapleural pressure (Pip) is the negative pressure in the pleural cavity, which creates a partial vacuum between the visceral and parietal pleurae. This partial vacuum (negative Pip), along with the surface tension produced by the pleural fluid, holds the visceral and parietal pleurae together, thereby connecting the lungs to the thorax wall. Equilibration between Patm and Pip, which would occur if air is allowed to enter the intrapleural cavity, will result in lung collapse.

Intrapulmonary pressure is the ________. a. negative pressure in the intrapleural space b. pressure within the pleural cavity c. pressure within the alveoli of the lungs d. difference between atmospheric pressure and respiratory pressure

C. pressure within the alveoli of the lungs

The walls of the alveoli are composed of two types of cells, type I and type II alveolar cells. The function of type II alveolar cells is to ________. a. replace mucus in the alveoli b. protect the lungs from bacterial invasion c. secrete surfactant d. trap dust and other debris

C. secrete surfactant

One of the following statements about pleural fluid and the pleural cavity is INCORRECT. Which one? a. The intrapleural pressure is always less than the intrapulmonary pressure. b. Pleural fluid is normally present in the pleural cavity. c. Pleural fluid is produced by the lung alveoli. d. The parietal pleura covers the superior part of the diaphragm.

D. The parietal pleura covers the superior part of the diaphragm.

Functional residual capacity

ERV + RV

T/F: The average individual has 500 mL of residual volume in his lungs.

False

T/F: The paired lungs occupy the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity.

False

T/F: Residual volume can be measured with a spirometer.

False Residual volume cannot be measured; it has to be estimated, generally based on the size and sex of an individual. The volume cannot be detected with a spirometer because the volume of residual air left in the lungs at the end of expiration cannot pass through a spirometer to be measured.

Inspiratory capacity

TV + IRV

Vital capacity

TV + IRV + ERV

Total lung capacity

TV + IRV + ERV + RV

T/F: The parietal pleura lines the thoracic wall.

True

T/F: To produce the pressure gradient responsible for inspiration, thoracic volume must first increase in order to decrease intrapulmonary pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.

True During quiet inspiration, muscular contractions of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles increase thoracic volume. Due to the coupling of the parietal and visceral pleurae, an increase in thoracic volume results in an increase in lung volume. As illustrated by Boyle's law, this increase in lung volume results in a decrease in lung (intrapulmonary) pressure. With intrapulmonary pressure now lower than atmospheric pressure, the pressure gradient required for airflow into the lungs is achieved.

Select the correct statement about the physical factors influencing pulmonary ventilation. a. As alveolar surface tension increases, additional muscle action will be required. b. Surfactant helps increase alveolar surface tension. c. A decrease in compliance causes an increase in ventilation. d. A lung that is less elastic will require less muscle action to perform adequate ventilation.

a. As alveolar surface tension increases, additional muscle action will be required.

Air moves out of the lungs when the pressure inside the lungs is ________. a. greater than the pressure in the atmosphere b. equal to the pressure in the atmosphere c. less than the pressure in the atmosphere d. greater than the intra-alveolar pressure

a. greater than the pressure in the atmosphere

What type of epithelial tissue forms the walls of the alveoli? a. simple squamous epithelium b. pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium c. stratified squamous epithelium d. simple cuboidal epithelium

a. simple squamous epithelium Squamous epithelia are thin and easily passed through by respiratory gases. The membrane is also kept thin by organizing the squamous cells in a single layer.

Inspiratory capacity is ____________. a. the total amount of air that can be inspired after a tidal expiration b. functional residual capacity c. air inspired after a tidal inhalation d. the total amount of exchangeable air

a. the total amount of air that can be inspired after a tidal expiration

In children with infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS), the walls of the alveoli cling to each other and make them difficult to inflate. It is common in babies born prematurely. What cells in these infants are NOT fully developed and are NOT doing their job? a. type II alveolar cells b. type I alveolar cells c. alveolar macrophages d. endothelial cells of alveolar capillaries

a. type II alveolar cells Type II alveolar cells secrete a detergent-like surfactant that lessens the surface tension on the alveolar walls, preventing them from sticking to each other. Infants with IRDS can be treated until their cells produce adequate surfactant.

Which of the following statements about the pleurae is NOT true? a. The parietal and visceral pleura are continuous. b. The pleurae create one continuous cavity for both lungs. c. The pleural lining reduces friction during ventilation. d. The visceral pleura covers the external lung surface and lines the fissures between lobes.

b. The pleurae create one continuous cavity for both lungs. Each lung has its own, separate pleura. The mediastinum surrounds the heart and vessels in the medial thoracic cavity.

The amount of air that can be inspired above the tidal volume is called ________. a. expiratory capacity b. inspiratory reserve volume c. reserve air d. vital capacity

b. inspiratory reserve volume

Surfactant helps to prevent the alveoli from collapsing by ________. a. warming the air before it enters b. interfering with the cohesiveness of water molecules, thereby reducing the surface tension of alveolar fluid c. protecting the surface of alveoli from dehydration and other environmental variations d. humidifying the air before it enters

b. interfering with the cohesiveness of water molecules, thereby reducing the surface tension of alveolar fluid

The left lung differs from the right in that the left lung has ________. a. an oblique fissure b. a wider and more vertical primary bronchus c. a cardiac notch d. three lobes

c. a cardiac notch

Which of the following processes are unique to the respiratory system? a. pulmonary ventilation and internal respiration b. external and internal respiration c. pulmonary ventilation and external respiration d. pulmonary ventilation and transport of respiratory gases

c. pulmonary ventilation and external respiration

Which of the following is/are part(s) of the respiratory zone structures? a. trachea b. primary bronchi c. terminal bronchioles d. alveoli

d. alveoli Alveoli are thin-walled air sacs that are the sites of gas exchange. Along with the respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts, the alveoli make up the respiratory zone.

For inspiration of air, which of the following happens first? a. thoracic cavity volume decreases b. air (gases) flows into lungs c. intrapulmonary pressure drops d. diaphragm descends, thoracic volume begins to increase, and rib cage rises

d. diaphragm descends, thoracic volume begins to increase, and rib cage rises

The loudness of a person's voice depends on the ________. a. strength of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles b. thickness of vestibular folds c. length of the vocal folds d. force with which air rushes across the vocal folds

d. force with which air rushes across the vocal folds