2026 PRACTICE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ Pulmonary abscess.
Answer: collection of pus within the lung
⩥ Pulmonary bleb.
Answer: cavity in the lung much like a balloon
⩥ Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
Answer: clot lodged in pulmonary artery
⩥ Respiratory failure.
Answer: inadequate blood oxygenation and or ventilation to meet the
metabolic demands of body tissue
⩥ Retractions.
Answer: use of accessory muscles
⩥ Supraglottic.
Answer: airway structure above vocal chords
,⩥ Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV).
Answer: vent setting that generally allows the patient to inspire at will
and to the depth that he or she desires
⩥ Tracheostomy.
Answer: surgical hole in the anterior trachea for breathing
⩥ Tuberculosis (TB).
Answer: highly contagious bacterial infection known for causing
pneumonia and infecting other parts of the body
⩥ Peritonsillar abscess (PTA).
Answer: infection of tissue between the tonsil and pharynx
⩥ Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Answer: a virus linked to bronchiolitis in infants and children
⩥ Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
Answer: any of several bacterial strains of S. aureus resistant to
methicillin (a penicillin) and related drugs
⩥ Upper Respiratory Infection (URI).
Answer: viral syndrome causing nasal congestion and fever
, ⩥ Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
Answer: bacteria resistant to vancomycin
⩥ Apneustic Breathing (pages 476 - 477).
Answer: Located in the pons, the apneustic center is the backup control
center of involuntary respiration, secondary to the medulla oblongata. It
stimulates the inspiratory center prolonging inhalation and inhibiting
expiration. Another center located in the pons is the pneumotaxic center.
It's main function is to inhibit inspiration, or act as a "shut off switch"
for inhalation. The impulses of the pneumotaxic center normally
override the the impulses of the apneustic center. When the pneumotaxic
center is damaged, a respiratory pattern called apneustic respirations
(a.k.a. apneusis) may occur. This consists of prolonged inhalation with
decreased exhalation.
⩥ Characteristics of Cystic Fibrosis (pages 716 - 717).
Answer: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that affects mostly the
lungs, but also the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. It is mainly
characterized by a change in the functioning chemistry of the glands that
create thicker than normal secretions. These thicker than normal
secretions cause chronic infections, resulting in the most common
complication of the disease - pulmonary infections. Most fatalities from
the disease result from progressive lung disease. Patients may present
similar to those with COPD or pneumonia. You may see cough, chest
wall pain, dyspnea, or fever. Physical examination may crackles on
auscultation. The chest wall may be tender on palpation. As with other