1. A patient presents with chronic shortness of breath
and a productive cough. Histological examination
shows thickened basement membranes and
increased goblet cells in the bronchi. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic bronchitis
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Tuberculosis
ANS: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by
increased goblet cells (mucous production) and
thickened basement membranes.
2. Which layer of the respiratory membrane is
responsible for the majority of gas exchange
resistance?
A. Alveolar epithelium
B. Capillary endothelium
C. Basal lamina
D. Type II pneumocytes
ANS: A
Rationale: The alveolar epithelium (mainly type I
pneumocytes) presents the greatest barrier to gas
exchange due to its selective permeability.
,3. During forced expiration, which of the following
muscles are primarily recruited?
A. Diaphragm
B. Internal intercostals
C. External intercostals
D. Sternocleidomastoid
ANS: B
Rationale: The internal intercostals are most active
during forced expiration as they depress the rib cage.
4. A 57-year-old male with a long smoking history has
enlarged air spaces and decreased alveolar surface
area. Which condition best matches these findings?
A. Pneumonia
B. Emphysema
C. Silicosis
D. Pulmonary edema
ANS: B
Rationale: Emphysema features enlarged alveoli,
decreased surface area, and loss of elastic tissue.
5. Which anatomical structure prevents food from
entering the lower respiratory tract during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Soft palate
C. Epiglottis
D. Vocal folds
ANS: C
Rationale: The epiglottis covers the glottis during
swallowing, preventing aspiration.
,Fill-in-the-Blank
6. The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs is the
__________.
ANS: alveoli
Rationale: The alveoli are tiny sacs with thin walls
adapted for gas exchange.
7. Type II alveolar cells secrete __________, a
substance vital for reducing alveolar surface tension.
ANS: surfactant
Rationale: Surfactant prevents alveolar collapse
during exhalation.
8. The normal adult tidal volume is approximately
__________ mL per breath.
ANS: 500
Rationale: Tidal volume in resting adults is about 500
mL.
9. __________ receptors located in the carotid and
aortic bodies respond primarily to changes in blood
oxygen levels.
ANS: Peripheral chemoreceptors
Rationale: Peripheral chemoreceptors sense drops in
arterial oxygen.
10. The __________ zone of the respiratory tract is
responsible for conducting, warming, and moistening
the air but does not participate in gas exchange.
ANS: conducting
, Rationale: The conducting zone includes structures
from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.
True/False
11. Surfactant deficiency in premature infants can
lead to increased risk of alveolar collapse.
ANS: True
Rationale: Without surfactant, surface tension
increases, making alveoli more likely to collapse.
12. The right lung contains two lobes, while the left
lung contains three.
ANS: False
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes; the left has
two.
13. During inspiration, intrapulmonary pressure drops
below atmospheric pressure.
ANS: True
Rationale: This pressure gradient draws air into the
lungs.
14. Chronic hypoventilation leads to respiratory
alkalosis.
ANS: False
Rationale: Hypoventilation increases CO₂, causing
respiratory acidosis.
15. The mucociliary escalator is a defense mechanism
present in the alveoli.
ANS: False
and a productive cough. Histological examination
shows thickened basement membranes and
increased goblet cells in the bronchi. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic bronchitis
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Tuberculosis
ANS: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by
increased goblet cells (mucous production) and
thickened basement membranes.
2. Which layer of the respiratory membrane is
responsible for the majority of gas exchange
resistance?
A. Alveolar epithelium
B. Capillary endothelium
C. Basal lamina
D. Type II pneumocytes
ANS: A
Rationale: The alveolar epithelium (mainly type I
pneumocytes) presents the greatest barrier to gas
exchange due to its selective permeability.
,3. During forced expiration, which of the following
muscles are primarily recruited?
A. Diaphragm
B. Internal intercostals
C. External intercostals
D. Sternocleidomastoid
ANS: B
Rationale: The internal intercostals are most active
during forced expiration as they depress the rib cage.
4. A 57-year-old male with a long smoking history has
enlarged air spaces and decreased alveolar surface
area. Which condition best matches these findings?
A. Pneumonia
B. Emphysema
C. Silicosis
D. Pulmonary edema
ANS: B
Rationale: Emphysema features enlarged alveoli,
decreased surface area, and loss of elastic tissue.
5. Which anatomical structure prevents food from
entering the lower respiratory tract during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Soft palate
C. Epiglottis
D. Vocal folds
ANS: C
Rationale: The epiglottis covers the glottis during
swallowing, preventing aspiration.
,Fill-in-the-Blank
6. The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs is the
__________.
ANS: alveoli
Rationale: The alveoli are tiny sacs with thin walls
adapted for gas exchange.
7. Type II alveolar cells secrete __________, a
substance vital for reducing alveolar surface tension.
ANS: surfactant
Rationale: Surfactant prevents alveolar collapse
during exhalation.
8. The normal adult tidal volume is approximately
__________ mL per breath.
ANS: 500
Rationale: Tidal volume in resting adults is about 500
mL.
9. __________ receptors located in the carotid and
aortic bodies respond primarily to changes in blood
oxygen levels.
ANS: Peripheral chemoreceptors
Rationale: Peripheral chemoreceptors sense drops in
arterial oxygen.
10. The __________ zone of the respiratory tract is
responsible for conducting, warming, and moistening
the air but does not participate in gas exchange.
ANS: conducting
, Rationale: The conducting zone includes structures
from the nose to the terminal bronchioles.
True/False
11. Surfactant deficiency in premature infants can
lead to increased risk of alveolar collapse.
ANS: True
Rationale: Without surfactant, surface tension
increases, making alveoli more likely to collapse.
12. The right lung contains two lobes, while the left
lung contains three.
ANS: False
Rationale: The right lung has three lobes; the left has
two.
13. During inspiration, intrapulmonary pressure drops
below atmospheric pressure.
ANS: True
Rationale: This pressure gradient draws air into the
lungs.
14. Chronic hypoventilation leads to respiratory
alkalosis.
ANS: False
Rationale: Hypoventilation increases CO₂, causing
respiratory acidosis.
15. The mucociliary escalator is a defense mechanism
present in the alveoli.
ANS: False
