ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
NSPE 7200 Final Exam Questions With
Correct Answers
Asthma - answer✔A chronic disorder of the airways that causes episodes of airway obstruction,
bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and possible airway remodelling.
Recurrent attacks of SOB and dyspnea with wheezing due to spasmodic contraction of the
bronchi.
Bronchiolitis - answer✔A common lung infection in children that causes swelling, inflammation,
and irritation and a buildup of mucus in the small airways of the lungs.
Bronchitis - answer✔Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes, which
become inflamed and lead to coughing and mucus production.
Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis) - answer✔A contagious URTI that causes swelling of the
larynx (voice box), and windpipe (trachea), which leads to symptoms including a distinct barking
cough and stridor (raspy breathing).
Empyema - answer✔An accumulation of pus in a cavity of the body, especially the pleural
space.
1|Page
, ©BRAINBARTER EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Epiglottitis - answer✔Inflammation of the epiglottis, which is the tissue-lined cartilage that
covers the trachea while swallowing.
FB Aspiration - answer✔aka pulmonary aspiration, occurs when an object is inhaled and
becomes lodged in the airway or lungs, which can lead to breathing difficulties or choking.
Pneumonia - answer✔An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The alveoli
and bronchioles may fill with thick secretions of fluid or pus, causing cough with phlegm or pus,
fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Pneumothorax - answer✔A collapsed lung occurs when air leaks into the space between your
lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of the lung and makes it collapse. It can be a
complete collapse or only a portion of the lung.
Pleural Effusion - answer✔A buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue (pleural cavity) that
line the lungs and chest cavity.
Anatomical Differences - Saliva - answer✔Saliva is minimal at birth, salivary secretions increase
after 3mo.
Consequences: increased aspiration risk
Anatomical Differences - Teeth - answer✔Deciduous (baby) teeth grow between 6-24mo.
Consequences: delay could signify hypothyroidism or malnutrition
Anatomical Differences - Nose - answer✔Obligate nose breathers
2|Page
, ©BRAINBARTER EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Consequences: nasal passages are easily obstructed by secretions which affects airway patency
and ability to feed - can cause respiratory distress
Anatomical Differences - Airway and Nasal Passages - answer✔Airway and nasal passages are
narrow, larynx is narrowest at a level of the cricoid cartilage subglottis.
Consequences: increased risk of airway obstruction and infection, endotracheal intubation is
difficult, accidental extubation is more likely with movement, cricoid is susceptible to edema
(1mm can narrow the airways by 60%), position of larynx makes airway visualization more
difficult.
Anatomical Differences - Tongue - answer✔Tongue is large in proportion to size of the mouth.
Consequences: potential for airway obstruction
Anatomical Differences - Palate - answer✔Proportionately large soft palate and large amount of
soft tissue in the airway
Consequences: soft tissue swelling increased risk of airway obstruction
Anatomical Differences - Swallowing - answer✔Ability to coordinate swallowing and breathing
is immature.
Consequences: risk for aspiration and GERD
Anatomical Differences - Epiglottis - answer✔Proportionately large, floppy, and long epiglottis
3|Page
, ©BRAINBARTER EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Consequences: potential for airway obstruction with swelling and endotracheal intubation is
difficult.
Anatomical Differences - Hypoxic and Hypercapnic Drives - answer✔Hypoxic and hypercapnic
drives are not fully developed
Consequences: periodic breathing with apnea of < 10s without cyanosis or bradycardia is WNL.
Anatomical Differences - Chest - answer✔Easily compressible cartilage of the chest wall with
very little musculature
Consequences: limits tidal volume, lowers functional residual capacity, ribcage is flexible and
provides little support for the lungs, negative intrathoracic pressure is poorly maintained
causing increased WOB, soft thoracic cage collapses easily during laboured breathing.
Anatomical Differences - Alveoli - answer✔Alveoli are thick-walled and infants only have 10% of
the total number of alveoli found in adults.
Consequences: affects GE and increases RR, children with pulmonary damage can regenerate
new pulmonary tissue, contributes to high number of respiratory issues during acute illness
Anatomical Differences - Mucus Membranes - answer✔Mucus membranes lining the
respiratory tract are loosely attached and very vascular.
Consequences: potential for airway edema is greater, more respiratory secretions are produced
which increases the risk of aspiration.
4|Page