2026 Respiratory Pathophysiology
Nursing Study Guide: Practice Questions,
Answer Explanations, COPD, Asthma,
Pneumonia, Gas Exchange, Respiratory
Failure, Clinical Review
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY STRUCTURE & FUNCTION (Questions 1–
15)
1. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for gas exchange in the lungs?
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Rationale: The alveoli are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs, where
oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out.
2. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for warming, humidifying, and filtering inspired air?
A. Nasal cavity
B. Trachea
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Rationale: The nasal cavity warms, humidifies, and filters inspired air before it
reaches the lower respiratory tract.
3. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing?
,A. Epiglottis
B. Larynx
C. Pharynx
D. Uvula
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during
swallowing to prevent aspiration.
4. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which cells
produce surfactant in the lungs?
A. Type I pneumocytes
B. Type II pneumocytes
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Goblet cells
Rationale: Type II pneumocytes produce surfactant, which reduces surface tension
in the alveoli and prevents alveolar collapse.
5. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
mechanism is primarily responsible for moving air into the lungs during
inspiration?
A. Diaphragmatic contraction
B. Diaphragmatic relaxation
C. Intercostal muscle relaxation
D. Abdominal muscle contraction
Rationale: During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing the
volume of the thoracic cavity and decreasing intrathoracic pressure, allowing air to
flow into the lungs.
6. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
mechanism is primarily responsible for moving air out of the lungs during
expiration?
A. Diaphragmatic contraction
B. Diaphragmatic relaxation
C. Intercostal muscle contraction
D. Abdominal muscle relaxation
,Rationale: During expiration, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its dome shape,
decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and increasing intrathoracic pressure,
allowing air to flow out of the lungs.
7. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which lung
volume is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiration?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Expiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume
Rationale: Residual volume is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a
maximal expiration, which prevents alveolar collapse.
8. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which lung
volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal breath?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Expiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume
Rationale: Tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal
breath, typically about 500 mL in adults.
9. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
factor primarily controls the rate and depth of respiration?
A. Oxygen levels
B. Carbon dioxide levels
C. Nitrogen levels
D. Hydrogen levels
Rationale: Carbon dioxide levels are the primary regulator of respiration.
Increased PaCO2 stimulates the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata to
increase the rate and depth of breathing.
10. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
receptors are responsible for detecting changes in lung inflation?
A. Chemoreceptors
B. Stretch receptors
, C. Irritant receptors
D. J receptors
Rationale: Stretch receptors in the lungs detect changes in lung inflation and help
regulate the depth of breathing (Hering-Breuer reflex).
11. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
receptors are responsible for detecting changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide
levels?
A. Chemoreceptors
B. Stretch receptors
C. Irritant receptors
D. J receptors
Rationale: Chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies and aortic arch detect changes in
oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and stimulate the respiratory center.
12. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for the cough reflex?
A. Alveoli
B. Irritant receptors
C. Stretch receptors
D. J receptors
Rationale: Irritant receptors in the airways detect irritants and trigger the cough
reflex to expel them.
13. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for the sneeze reflex?
A. Alveoli
B. Nasal mucosa
C. Bronchioles
D. Trachea
Rationale: Irritation of the nasal mucosa triggers the sneeze reflex to expel
irritants from the nasal cavity.
14. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for the gag reflex?
Nursing Study Guide: Practice Questions,
Answer Explanations, COPD, Asthma,
Pneumonia, Gas Exchange, Respiratory
Failure, Clinical Review
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY STRUCTURE & FUNCTION (Questions 1–
15)
1. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for gas exchange in the lungs?
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Rationale: The alveoli are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs, where
oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out.
2. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for warming, humidifying, and filtering inspired air?
A. Nasal cavity
B. Trachea
C. Bronchi
D. Alveoli
Rationale: The nasal cavity warms, humidifies, and filters inspired air before it
reaches the lower respiratory tract.
3. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing?
,A. Epiglottis
B. Larynx
C. Pharynx
D. Uvula
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during
swallowing to prevent aspiration.
4. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which cells
produce surfactant in the lungs?
A. Type I pneumocytes
B. Type II pneumocytes
C. Alveolar macrophages
D. Goblet cells
Rationale: Type II pneumocytes produce surfactant, which reduces surface tension
in the alveoli and prevents alveolar collapse.
5. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
mechanism is primarily responsible for moving air into the lungs during
inspiration?
A. Diaphragmatic contraction
B. Diaphragmatic relaxation
C. Intercostal muscle relaxation
D. Abdominal muscle contraction
Rationale: During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing the
volume of the thoracic cavity and decreasing intrathoracic pressure, allowing air to
flow into the lungs.
6. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
mechanism is primarily responsible for moving air out of the lungs during
expiration?
A. Diaphragmatic contraction
B. Diaphragmatic relaxation
C. Intercostal muscle contraction
D. Abdominal muscle relaxation
,Rationale: During expiration, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its dome shape,
decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and increasing intrathoracic pressure,
allowing air to flow out of the lungs.
7. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which lung
volume is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiration?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Expiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume
Rationale: Residual volume is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a
maximal expiration, which prevents alveolar collapse.
8. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which lung
volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal breath?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Expiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume
Rationale: Tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal
breath, typically about 500 mL in adults.
9. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
factor primarily controls the rate and depth of respiration?
A. Oxygen levels
B. Carbon dioxide levels
C. Nitrogen levels
D. Hydrogen levels
Rationale: Carbon dioxide levels are the primary regulator of respiration.
Increased PaCO2 stimulates the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata to
increase the rate and depth of breathing.
10. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
receptors are responsible for detecting changes in lung inflation?
A. Chemoreceptors
B. Stretch receptors
, C. Irritant receptors
D. J receptors
Rationale: Stretch receptors in the lungs detect changes in lung inflation and help
regulate the depth of breathing (Hering-Breuer reflex).
11. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
receptors are responsible for detecting changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide
levels?
A. Chemoreceptors
B. Stretch receptors
C. Irritant receptors
D. J receptors
Rationale: Chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies and aortic arch detect changes in
oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and stimulate the respiratory center.
12. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for the cough reflex?
A. Alveoli
B. Irritant receptors
C. Stretch receptors
D. J receptors
Rationale: Irritant receptors in the airways detect irritants and trigger the cough
reflex to expel them.
13. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for the sneeze reflex?
A. Alveoli
B. Nasal mucosa
C. Bronchioles
D. Trachea
Rationale: Irritation of the nasal mucosa triggers the sneeze reflex to expel
irritants from the nasal cavity.
14. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Which
structure is responsible for the gag reflex?
