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ATI Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology
Exam| Verified Questions and Answers|
Latest Update 2024/2025
A nurse is assessing a patient with shallow, rapid breathing. What part of the brain is responsible
for controlling this respiratory pattern?
The medulla oblongata controls breathing rate and rhythm. If breathing is shallow and fast,
it's usually because the medulla is responding to low oxygen or high CO2 levels.
During a respiratory assessment, a nurse notes the patient has difficulty inhaling deeply. What
muscle is likely not functioning well?
The diaphragm. It’s the main muscle for breathing in. If it’s weak or paralyzed, the person
can’t take a deep breath.
Why might a patient with a spinal cord injury at C4 need mechanical ventilation?
The phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, comes from the C3–C5 spinal nerves. If
C4 is damaged, the diaphragm won’t work properly and they might not be able to breathe on
their own.
A nurse palpates tactile fremitus and notes it's increased. What does this suggest?
Increased fremitus usually means there's something dense in the lungs, like pneumonia.
Sound travels better through solid stuff than air.
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Why is surfactant important in the alveoli, especially in premature babies?
Surfactant keeps the alveoli from collapsing by reducing surface tension. Premature babies
often don’t make enough, which is why they struggle to breathe.
What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?
It contracts and moves downward, which increases the space in the chest so the lungs can fill
with air.
A patient’s ABG shows low PaO2 but normal oxygen saturation. What could explain this?
Carbon monoxide poisoning. CO binds to hemoglobin instead of oxygen, so the pulse ox
looks normal even though the tissues aren't getting enough O2.
What’s the purpose of the nasal turbinates in respiration?
They warm, humidify, and filter the air before it gets to the lungs. That’s why we breathe
through our nose when it’s cold!
Why does right-sided pneumonia affect gas exchange?
The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, which blocks oxygen from getting into the blood.
Ventilation is reduced in those areas.
What’s the significance of a low V/Q ratio in a respiratory assessment?
It means poor ventilation compared to perfusion—like in asthma or bronchitis, where air
can’t get in properly.
ATI Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology
Exam| Verified Questions and Answers|
Latest Update 2024/2025
A nurse is assessing a patient with shallow, rapid breathing. What part of the brain is responsible
for controlling this respiratory pattern?
The medulla oblongata controls breathing rate and rhythm. If breathing is shallow and fast,
it's usually because the medulla is responding to low oxygen or high CO2 levels.
During a respiratory assessment, a nurse notes the patient has difficulty inhaling deeply. What
muscle is likely not functioning well?
The diaphragm. It’s the main muscle for breathing in. If it’s weak or paralyzed, the person
can’t take a deep breath.
Why might a patient with a spinal cord injury at C4 need mechanical ventilation?
The phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, comes from the C3–C5 spinal nerves. If
C4 is damaged, the diaphragm won’t work properly and they might not be able to breathe on
their own.
A nurse palpates tactile fremitus and notes it's increased. What does this suggest?
Increased fremitus usually means there's something dense in the lungs, like pneumonia.
Sound travels better through solid stuff than air.
, 2
Why is surfactant important in the alveoli, especially in premature babies?
Surfactant keeps the alveoli from collapsing by reducing surface tension. Premature babies
often don’t make enough, which is why they struggle to breathe.
What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?
It contracts and moves downward, which increases the space in the chest so the lungs can fill
with air.
A patient’s ABG shows low PaO2 but normal oxygen saturation. What could explain this?
Carbon monoxide poisoning. CO binds to hemoglobin instead of oxygen, so the pulse ox
looks normal even though the tissues aren't getting enough O2.
What’s the purpose of the nasal turbinates in respiration?
They warm, humidify, and filter the air before it gets to the lungs. That’s why we breathe
through our nose when it’s cold!
Why does right-sided pneumonia affect gas exchange?
The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, which blocks oxygen from getting into the blood.
Ventilation is reduced in those areas.
What’s the significance of a low V/Q ratio in a respiratory assessment?
It means poor ventilation compared to perfusion—like in asthma or bronchitis, where air
can’t get in properly.
