,NURS 251 Pharmacology Module Exam 5 | Portage Learning /
1. Which microscopic sacs within the lungs are the primary site where oxygen is exchanged for carbon
dioxide?
A) Bronchioles
B) Alveoli
C) Capillaries
D) Pleura
Correct Answer: Alveoli
Rationale: Alveoli are the tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs at the end of the bronchial tree where gas
exchange occurs. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the
blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. Bronchioles are airways, capillaries are blood vessels, and the
pleura is the membrane surrounding the lungs.
2. Which statement accurately describes emphysema?
A) Emphysema is a reversible disease involving airway hyperresponsiveness
B) Emphysema is characterized by recurrent, irreversible shortness of breath
C) Emphysema is a disease process involving inflammation and destruction of the alveoli
D) Emphysema consists of both chronic bronchitis and asthma
Correct Answer: Emphysema is a disease process involving inflammation and destruction of the alveoli
Rationale: Emphysema is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by destruction of the alveolar
walls, leading to loss of elastic recoil and impaired gas exchange. This damage is typically irreversible.
Asthma is reversible, and COPD is not a combination of asthma and emphysema alone.
3. Leukotrienes are best described as which of the following?
A) Bronchodilators
B) Chemical mediators of inflammation
,C) Antihistamines
D) Enzymes that break down mucus
Correct Answer: Chemical mediators of inflammation
Rationale: Leukotrienes are inflammatory chemical mediators released by mast cells and other immune
cells. They contribute to bronchoconstriction, mucus hypersecretion, and airway inflammation in asthma
and other respiratory conditions. They are not bronchodilators, antihistamines, or mucus-degrading
enzymes.
4. True or False: Intrinsic asthma is caused by unknown factors.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Intrinsic asthma, also known as non-allergic asthma, has no identifiable external trigger. It is
often associated with respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, or stress, but the exact underlying cause
is not fully understood. Extrinsic asthma, in contrast, is triggered by specific allergens.
5. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of asthma?
A) Dilation of the bronchioles due to increased sympathetic tone
B) Narrowing of the bronchioles caused by airway inflammation, mucus production, and bronchospasm
C) Permanent destruction of the alveolar walls leading to air trapping
D) Overproduction of surfactant leading to alveolar collapse
Correct Answer: Narrowing of the bronchioles caused by airway inflammation, mucus production, and
bronchospasm
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, leading to bronchospasm, mucus
hypersecretion, mucosal edema, and airway wall remodeling. This results in reversible airway
, obstruction. Dilation of bronchioles is not part of the pathophysiology; alveolar destruction is
characteristic of emphysema.
6. What is the primary irritant that can cause both emphysema and chronic bronchitis?
A) Air pollution
B) Tobacco smoke
C) Occupational dust
D) Respiratory infections
Correct Answer: Tobacco smoke
Rationale: Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, collectively
known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It triggers an inflammatory response that
damages the airways and alveoli. While other factors contribute, tobacco smoke is the primary irritant.
7. True or False: Adrenergic agonists are an example of a drug class that works as a bronchodilator.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Adrenergic agonists, specifically beta-2 adrenergic agonists like albuterol, stimulate beta-2
receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing relaxation and bronchodilation. They are a primary
class of bronchodilators used in respiratory conditions.
8. Which statement about albuterol is correct?
A) Albuterol is primarily used to prevent symptoms of asthma
B) Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler
C) Albuterol is a long-acting beta agonist used for maintenance therapy
D) Albuterol is an anticholinergic bronchodilator
1. Which microscopic sacs within the lungs are the primary site where oxygen is exchanged for carbon
dioxide?
A) Bronchioles
B) Alveoli
C) Capillaries
D) Pleura
Correct Answer: Alveoli
Rationale: Alveoli are the tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs at the end of the bronchial tree where gas
exchange occurs. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the
blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. Bronchioles are airways, capillaries are blood vessels, and the
pleura is the membrane surrounding the lungs.
2. Which statement accurately describes emphysema?
A) Emphysema is a reversible disease involving airway hyperresponsiveness
B) Emphysema is characterized by recurrent, irreversible shortness of breath
C) Emphysema is a disease process involving inflammation and destruction of the alveoli
D) Emphysema consists of both chronic bronchitis and asthma
Correct Answer: Emphysema is a disease process involving inflammation and destruction of the alveoli
Rationale: Emphysema is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by destruction of the alveolar
walls, leading to loss of elastic recoil and impaired gas exchange. This damage is typically irreversible.
Asthma is reversible, and COPD is not a combination of asthma and emphysema alone.
3. Leukotrienes are best described as which of the following?
A) Bronchodilators
B) Chemical mediators of inflammation
,C) Antihistamines
D) Enzymes that break down mucus
Correct Answer: Chemical mediators of inflammation
Rationale: Leukotrienes are inflammatory chemical mediators released by mast cells and other immune
cells. They contribute to bronchoconstriction, mucus hypersecretion, and airway inflammation in asthma
and other respiratory conditions. They are not bronchodilators, antihistamines, or mucus-degrading
enzymes.
4. True or False: Intrinsic asthma is caused by unknown factors.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Intrinsic asthma, also known as non-allergic asthma, has no identifiable external trigger. It is
often associated with respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, or stress, but the exact underlying cause
is not fully understood. Extrinsic asthma, in contrast, is triggered by specific allergens.
5. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of asthma?
A) Dilation of the bronchioles due to increased sympathetic tone
B) Narrowing of the bronchioles caused by airway inflammation, mucus production, and bronchospasm
C) Permanent destruction of the alveolar walls leading to air trapping
D) Overproduction of surfactant leading to alveolar collapse
Correct Answer: Narrowing of the bronchioles caused by airway inflammation, mucus production, and
bronchospasm
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, leading to bronchospasm, mucus
hypersecretion, mucosal edema, and airway wall remodeling. This results in reversible airway
, obstruction. Dilation of bronchioles is not part of the pathophysiology; alveolar destruction is
characteristic of emphysema.
6. What is the primary irritant that can cause both emphysema and chronic bronchitis?
A) Air pollution
B) Tobacco smoke
C) Occupational dust
D) Respiratory infections
Correct Answer: Tobacco smoke
Rationale: Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, collectively
known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It triggers an inflammatory response that
damages the airways and alveoli. While other factors contribute, tobacco smoke is the primary irritant.
7. True or False: Adrenergic agonists are an example of a drug class that works as a bronchodilator.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Adrenergic agonists, specifically beta-2 adrenergic agonists like albuterol, stimulate beta-2
receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing relaxation and bronchodilation. They are a primary
class of bronchodilators used in respiratory conditions.
8. Which statement about albuterol is correct?
A) Albuterol is primarily used to prevent symptoms of asthma
B) Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler
C) Albuterol is a long-acting beta agonist used for maintenance therapy
D) Albuterol is an anticholinergic bronchodilator
