TEST BANK WILKINS CLINICAL ASSESSMENT IN
RESPIRATORY CARE 7TH EDITION HEUER (CHAPTER
1-21) QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS Q&A 2026 |INSTANT
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1. Which structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange in
the lungs?
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Rationale: Gas exchange occurs across thin alveolar-capillary
membranes where oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse.
Correct answer: C. Alveoli
2. Which clinical sign most strongly indicates hypoxemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypertension
D. Polyuria
Rationale: Cyanosis results from increased deoxygenated
hemoglobin in blood.
Correct answer: B. Cyanosis
,3. What is the normal adult respiratory rate range?
A. 4–8 breaths/min
B. 8–12 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 20–30 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal adult resting respiratory rate is typically 12–
20 breaths per minute.
Correct answer: C. 12–20 breaths/min
4. Which breath sound is normally heard over healthy lung
tissue?
A. Bronchial
B. Vesicular
C. Wheezing
D. Stridor
Rationale: Vesicular breath sounds are soft and low-pitched
and heard in peripheral lung fields.
Correct answer: B. Vesicular
5. The primary stimulus for breathing in healthy individuals is
increased:
A. Oxygen levels
B. Carbon dioxide levels
,C. Blood glucose
D. Hemoglobin concentration
Rationale: Elevated CO₂ levels stimulate central
chemoreceptors to increase ventilation.
Correct answer: B. Carbon dioxide levels
6. Which device is commonly used to measure oxygen
saturation non-invasively?
A. Spirometer
B. Pulse oximeter
C. Capnograph
D. Peak flow meter
Rationale: Pulse oximetry estimates arterial oxygen saturation
using light absorption.
Correct answer: B. Pulse oximeter
7. What does hypercapnia refer to?
A. Low oxygen in blood
B. Excess carbon dioxide in blood
C. Low blood pressure
D. Excess oxygen in blood
Rationale: Hypercapnia is elevated PaCO₂ in arterial blood.
Correct answer: B. Excess carbon dioxide in blood
, 8. Which lung volume cannot be measured directly by
spirometry?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Residual volume
D. Expiratory reserve volume
Rationale: Residual volume remains after maximal exhalation
and cannot be measured by spirometry.
Correct answer: C. Residual volume
9. A common sign of respiratory distress is:
A. Bradypnea
B. Use of accessory muscles
C. Hypothermia
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates increased work of
breathing.
Correct answer: B. Use of accessory muscles
10. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) value indicates acidosis?
A. pH 7.45
B. pH 7.40
C. pH 7.30
D. pH 7.50
RESPIRATORY CARE 7TH EDITION HEUER (CHAPTER
1-21) QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS Q&A 2026 |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange in
the lungs?
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Rationale: Gas exchange occurs across thin alveolar-capillary
membranes where oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse.
Correct answer: C. Alveoli
2. Which clinical sign most strongly indicates hypoxemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypertension
D. Polyuria
Rationale: Cyanosis results from increased deoxygenated
hemoglobin in blood.
Correct answer: B. Cyanosis
,3. What is the normal adult respiratory rate range?
A. 4–8 breaths/min
B. 8–12 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 20–30 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal adult resting respiratory rate is typically 12–
20 breaths per minute.
Correct answer: C. 12–20 breaths/min
4. Which breath sound is normally heard over healthy lung
tissue?
A. Bronchial
B. Vesicular
C. Wheezing
D. Stridor
Rationale: Vesicular breath sounds are soft and low-pitched
and heard in peripheral lung fields.
Correct answer: B. Vesicular
5. The primary stimulus for breathing in healthy individuals is
increased:
A. Oxygen levels
B. Carbon dioxide levels
,C. Blood glucose
D. Hemoglobin concentration
Rationale: Elevated CO₂ levels stimulate central
chemoreceptors to increase ventilation.
Correct answer: B. Carbon dioxide levels
6. Which device is commonly used to measure oxygen
saturation non-invasively?
A. Spirometer
B. Pulse oximeter
C. Capnograph
D. Peak flow meter
Rationale: Pulse oximetry estimates arterial oxygen saturation
using light absorption.
Correct answer: B. Pulse oximeter
7. What does hypercapnia refer to?
A. Low oxygen in blood
B. Excess carbon dioxide in blood
C. Low blood pressure
D. Excess oxygen in blood
Rationale: Hypercapnia is elevated PaCO₂ in arterial blood.
Correct answer: B. Excess carbon dioxide in blood
, 8. Which lung volume cannot be measured directly by
spirometry?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory reserve volume
C. Residual volume
D. Expiratory reserve volume
Rationale: Residual volume remains after maximal exhalation
and cannot be measured by spirometry.
Correct answer: C. Residual volume
9. A common sign of respiratory distress is:
A. Bradypnea
B. Use of accessory muscles
C. Hypothermia
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates increased work of
breathing.
Correct answer: B. Use of accessory muscles
10. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) value indicates acidosis?
A. pH 7.45
B. pH 7.40
C. pH 7.30
D. pH 7.50
