,NSG5003/NSG 5003 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 5
Knowledge Checks | South University | 26/27 (PDF)
1. Which pulmonary defense mechanism propels a mucus blanket that entraps particles moving
toward the oropharynx?
A) Nasal turbinates
B) Alveolar macrophages
C) Cilia
D) Irritant receptors on the nares
Correct Answer: Cilia
Rationale: Cilia are hair-like structures that beat in coordinated waves, propelling the mucus blanket
with entrapped particles toward the oropharynx for expulsion. Nasal turbinates filter air, alveolar
macrophages phagocytize particles, and irritant receptors trigger sneezing. Understanding this
mechanism is essential for respiratory defense.
2. Stretch receptors and peripheral chemoreceptors send afferent impulses regarding ventilation to
which location in the brain?
A) Pneumotaxic center in the pons
B) Apneustic center in the pons
C) Dorsal respiratory group in the medulla oblongata
D) Ventral respiratory group in the medulla oblongata
Correct Answer: Dorsal respiratory group in the medulla oblongata
Rationale: The dorsal respiratory group in the medulla oblongata receives afferent impulses from
stretch receptors and peripheral chemoreceptors and is primarily responsible for the rhythm of
inspiration. The pneumotaxic and apneustic centers in the pons modulate respiratory rate and depth,
while the ventral respiratory group controls forced expiration.
,3. If a patient develops acidosis, the nurse would expect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to
react in which manner?
A) Shift to the right, causing more oxygen to be released to the cells
B) Shift to the left, allowing less oxygen to be released to the cells
C) Show no change, allowing the oxygen concentration to remain stable
D) Show dramatic fluctuation, allowing the oxygen concentration to increase
Correct Answer: Shift to the right, causing more oxygen to be released to the cells
Rationale: Acidosis decreases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, causing the oxyhemoglobin
dissociation curve to shift to the right and release more oxygen to tissues. A shift to the left occurs
with alkalosis, and the curve does not remain stable or fluctuate dramatically. Understanding the Bohr
effect is essential.
4. How is most carbon dioxide in the blood transported?
A) Attached to oxygen
B) In the form of bicarbonate
C) Combined with albumin
D) Dissolved in the plasma
Correct Answer: In the form of bicarbonate
Rationale: Approximately 70% of carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as bicarbonate ions,
formed by the reaction of CO2 with water in red blood cells. A smaller percentage is bound to
hemoglobin or dissolved in plasma. Understanding CO2 transport is fundamental to acid-base
physiology.
5. The sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles are referred to as which group of muscles?
A) Diaphragmatic muscles
B) Muscles of expiration
C) Intercostal muscles
, D) Muscles of inspiration
Correct Answer: Muscles of inspiration
Rationale: The sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles are accessory muscles of inspiration that are
recruited during respiratory distress. The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration, intercostal
muscles assist in respiration, and expiration is typically passive. Recognizing accessory muscle use is a
sign of respiratory compromise.
6. What event is characteristic of the function in Zone 1 of the lung?
A) Blood flow through the pulmonary capillary bed increases in regular increments
B) Alveolar pressure is greater than venous pressure but not greater than arterial pressure
C) The capillary bed collapses and normal blood flow ceases
D) Blood flows through Zone 1 but is impeded to a certain extent by alveolar pressure
Correct Answer: The capillary bed collapses and normal blood flow ceases
Rationale: In Zone 1 of the lung, alveolar pressure exceeds pulmonary arterial and venous pressures,
causing compression of capillaries and no blood flow. Zone 2 has intermittent flow, and Zone 3 has
continuous flow. Understanding these zones is important for ventilation-perfusion matching.
7. Hypoventilation that results in the retention of carbon dioxide will stimulate which receptors in an
attempt to maintain a normal homeostatic state?
A) Irritant receptors
B) Central chemoreceptors
C) Peripheral chemoreceptors
D) Stretch receptors
Correct Answer: Central chemoreceptors
Knowledge Checks | South University | 26/27 (PDF)
1. Which pulmonary defense mechanism propels a mucus blanket that entraps particles moving
toward the oropharynx?
A) Nasal turbinates
B) Alveolar macrophages
C) Cilia
D) Irritant receptors on the nares
Correct Answer: Cilia
Rationale: Cilia are hair-like structures that beat in coordinated waves, propelling the mucus blanket
with entrapped particles toward the oropharynx for expulsion. Nasal turbinates filter air, alveolar
macrophages phagocytize particles, and irritant receptors trigger sneezing. Understanding this
mechanism is essential for respiratory defense.
2. Stretch receptors and peripheral chemoreceptors send afferent impulses regarding ventilation to
which location in the brain?
A) Pneumotaxic center in the pons
B) Apneustic center in the pons
C) Dorsal respiratory group in the medulla oblongata
D) Ventral respiratory group in the medulla oblongata
Correct Answer: Dorsal respiratory group in the medulla oblongata
Rationale: The dorsal respiratory group in the medulla oblongata receives afferent impulses from
stretch receptors and peripheral chemoreceptors and is primarily responsible for the rhythm of
inspiration. The pneumotaxic and apneustic centers in the pons modulate respiratory rate and depth,
while the ventral respiratory group controls forced expiration.
,3. If a patient develops acidosis, the nurse would expect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to
react in which manner?
A) Shift to the right, causing more oxygen to be released to the cells
B) Shift to the left, allowing less oxygen to be released to the cells
C) Show no change, allowing the oxygen concentration to remain stable
D) Show dramatic fluctuation, allowing the oxygen concentration to increase
Correct Answer: Shift to the right, causing more oxygen to be released to the cells
Rationale: Acidosis decreases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, causing the oxyhemoglobin
dissociation curve to shift to the right and release more oxygen to tissues. A shift to the left occurs
with alkalosis, and the curve does not remain stable or fluctuate dramatically. Understanding the Bohr
effect is essential.
4. How is most carbon dioxide in the blood transported?
A) Attached to oxygen
B) In the form of bicarbonate
C) Combined with albumin
D) Dissolved in the plasma
Correct Answer: In the form of bicarbonate
Rationale: Approximately 70% of carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as bicarbonate ions,
formed by the reaction of CO2 with water in red blood cells. A smaller percentage is bound to
hemoglobin or dissolved in plasma. Understanding CO2 transport is fundamental to acid-base
physiology.
5. The sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles are referred to as which group of muscles?
A) Diaphragmatic muscles
B) Muscles of expiration
C) Intercostal muscles
, D) Muscles of inspiration
Correct Answer: Muscles of inspiration
Rationale: The sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles are accessory muscles of inspiration that are
recruited during respiratory distress. The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration, intercostal
muscles assist in respiration, and expiration is typically passive. Recognizing accessory muscle use is a
sign of respiratory compromise.
6. What event is characteristic of the function in Zone 1 of the lung?
A) Blood flow through the pulmonary capillary bed increases in regular increments
B) Alveolar pressure is greater than venous pressure but not greater than arterial pressure
C) The capillary bed collapses and normal blood flow ceases
D) Blood flows through Zone 1 but is impeded to a certain extent by alveolar pressure
Correct Answer: The capillary bed collapses and normal blood flow ceases
Rationale: In Zone 1 of the lung, alveolar pressure exceeds pulmonary arterial and venous pressures,
causing compression of capillaries and no blood flow. Zone 2 has intermittent flow, and Zone 3 has
continuous flow. Understanding these zones is important for ventilation-perfusion matching.
7. Hypoventilation that results in the retention of carbon dioxide will stimulate which receptors in an
attempt to maintain a normal homeostatic state?
A) Irritant receptors
B) Central chemoreceptors
C) Peripheral chemoreceptors
D) Stretch receptors
Correct Answer: Central chemoreceptors
