NR 507: ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MOA of anticholinergic drugs for asthma - Answer-the parasympathetic system is
stimulated by the vagal nerve to release acetylcholine which binds to the cholinergic
receptors of the respiratory tract to cause bronchial constriction = decreased airflow
- blocking the cholinergic receptors prevents acetylcholine binding preventing the
bronchial constriction
bronchitis - Answer-inflammation of the bronchial tubes
3 characteristics of bronchitis - Answer-bronchial inflammation
hypersecretion of mucus
chronic productive cough for at least 3 consecutive months for at least 2 successive
years
Perfusion - Answer-The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and
tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.
results of chronic bronchitis/ low perfusion - Answer-cyanosis
right to left shunting
chronic hypoxemia
Why is there cyanosis with chronic bronchitis - Answer-there is hypoxia due to
unfavorable conditions for gas exchange
Right to left shunting - Answer-when blood passes from the right ventricle through the
lungs and to the left ventricle without perfusion
Causes of bronchitis - Answer--long term exposure to environmental irritants
-repeated episodes of acute infection (RSV infection in early infancy)
-Factors affecting gestational childhood lung development (preterm birth)
Pathogenesis of bronchitis - Answer--Exposure to airborne irritants
- Irritant activates bronchial smooth muscle constriction and mucus secretion
- Triggers release of inflammatory mediators from immune cells located in the lamina
propria
most common irritant with bronchitis is? - Answer-tobacco product smoke
, what does long term exposure to irritants promote in bronchitis? (5) - Answer-- smooth
muscle hypertrophy
- hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells
- epithelial cell metaplasia
- migration of more WBC to site
- thickening and rigidity of bronchial basement membrane
What does smooth muscle hypertrophy do in lungs? - Answer-causes increased
bronchoconstriction
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells do what in the bronchials - Answer-
promotes hypersecretion of mucus
What are characteristics of epithelial cell metaplasia? - Answer-squamous cells become
nonciliated and are less protective; allow passage of toxins and WBCs
What does the migration of WBCs to the bronchials do? - Answer-increases
inflammation of the cite and causes fibrosis in the bronchial wall
How does the thickening and rigidity of bronchial basement membranes effect the
lungs? - Answer-leads to further narrowing of the bronchial passageways
What acid-base disorder is seen in chronic bronchitis? - Answer-respiratory acidosis
how does chronic bronchitis lead to respiratory acidosis? - Answer-hyperinflation of the
alveoli causes CO2 retention
Where does air enter the body? - Answer-naso and oropharynx (mouth and nose)
Where does air go after it passes through the nose and mouth? - Answer-it passes
through the trachea
After air passes through the trachea where does it go? - Answer-goes into the left or
right bronchi
Where does air flow after the bronchi? - Answer-into the smaller bronchioles
Where does air flow after the bronchioles? - Answer-into the alveoli
Describe how blood flows to become oxygenated - Answer-- deoxygenated systemic
blood flows from the vena cava to R atrium
- Tricuspid valve opens to flow to R ventricle
-Pulmonary semilunar valve opens and blood flows to the alveolar capillaries for gas
exchange from the pulmonary trunk and L & R pulmonary arteries
- blood goes from alveolar capillaries to pulmonary veins to return oxygenated blood to
the left atrium
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MOA of anticholinergic drugs for asthma - Answer-the parasympathetic system is
stimulated by the vagal nerve to release acetylcholine which binds to the cholinergic
receptors of the respiratory tract to cause bronchial constriction = decreased airflow
- blocking the cholinergic receptors prevents acetylcholine binding preventing the
bronchial constriction
bronchitis - Answer-inflammation of the bronchial tubes
3 characteristics of bronchitis - Answer-bronchial inflammation
hypersecretion of mucus
chronic productive cough for at least 3 consecutive months for at least 2 successive
years
Perfusion - Answer-The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and
tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.
results of chronic bronchitis/ low perfusion - Answer-cyanosis
right to left shunting
chronic hypoxemia
Why is there cyanosis with chronic bronchitis - Answer-there is hypoxia due to
unfavorable conditions for gas exchange
Right to left shunting - Answer-when blood passes from the right ventricle through the
lungs and to the left ventricle without perfusion
Causes of bronchitis - Answer--long term exposure to environmental irritants
-repeated episodes of acute infection (RSV infection in early infancy)
-Factors affecting gestational childhood lung development (preterm birth)
Pathogenesis of bronchitis - Answer--Exposure to airborne irritants
- Irritant activates bronchial smooth muscle constriction and mucus secretion
- Triggers release of inflammatory mediators from immune cells located in the lamina
propria
most common irritant with bronchitis is? - Answer-tobacco product smoke
, what does long term exposure to irritants promote in bronchitis? (5) - Answer-- smooth
muscle hypertrophy
- hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells
- epithelial cell metaplasia
- migration of more WBC to site
- thickening and rigidity of bronchial basement membrane
What does smooth muscle hypertrophy do in lungs? - Answer-causes increased
bronchoconstriction
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells do what in the bronchials - Answer-
promotes hypersecretion of mucus
What are characteristics of epithelial cell metaplasia? - Answer-squamous cells become
nonciliated and are less protective; allow passage of toxins and WBCs
What does the migration of WBCs to the bronchials do? - Answer-increases
inflammation of the cite and causes fibrosis in the bronchial wall
How does the thickening and rigidity of bronchial basement membranes effect the
lungs? - Answer-leads to further narrowing of the bronchial passageways
What acid-base disorder is seen in chronic bronchitis? - Answer-respiratory acidosis
how does chronic bronchitis lead to respiratory acidosis? - Answer-hyperinflation of the
alveoli causes CO2 retention
Where does air enter the body? - Answer-naso and oropharynx (mouth and nose)
Where does air go after it passes through the nose and mouth? - Answer-it passes
through the trachea
After air passes through the trachea where does it go? - Answer-goes into the left or
right bronchi
Where does air flow after the bronchi? - Answer-into the smaller bronchioles
Where does air flow after the bronchioles? - Answer-into the alveoli
Describe how blood flows to become oxygenated - Answer-- deoxygenated systemic
blood flows from the vena cava to R atrium
- Tricuspid valve opens to flow to R ventricle
-Pulmonary semilunar valve opens and blood flows to the alveolar capillaries for gas
exchange from the pulmonary trunk and L & R pulmonary arteries
- blood goes from alveolar capillaries to pulmonary veins to return oxygenated blood to
the left atrium