NURS 5315 Pulmonary Practice Test with 150 Recent
Exam Questions and Correct Answers / UTA NURS
5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Respiratory
Questions Review Latest 2026-2027
Which type of pneumothorax occurs without any underlying lung disease?
A. Traumatic pneumothorax
B. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
C. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
D. Tension pneumothorax - ANSWER-C. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Rationale: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in healthy individuals, often
due to ruptured blebs.
Which pulmonary disease is most likely to reduce Inspiratory Reserve Volume
(IRV)?
A. Asthma
B. COPD
C. Emphysema
D. Pulmonary embolism - ANSWER-B. COPD
Rationale: COPD decreases IRV due to airway obstruction and difficulty inhaling
deeply.
What distinguishes a tension pneumothorax from other types?
A. The presence of infection
1
,B. The ability of air to enter but not exit the pleural space
C. The slow accumulation of pleural fluid
D. The absence of respiratory distress - ANSWER-B. The ability of air to enter
but not exit the pleural space
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax involves air entering but not escaping,
increasing intrathoracic pressure and compressing vital structures.
What is a classic clinical sign of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tracheal deviation to the affected side
B. Tracheal deviation to the opposite side
C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Bradycardia - ANSWER-B. Tracheal deviation to the opposite side
Rationale: In tension pneumothorax, increasing pressure shifts the mediastinum
and trachea to the opposite side.
Which condition is associated with increased lung compliance?
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Emphysema
D. Pneumonia - ANSWER-C. Emphysema
Rationale: Emphysema destroys elastic fibers, making lungs more compliant but
reducing their ability to recoil effectively.
2
,Which of the following is an example of a disease with decreased lung
compliance?
A. Asthma
B. Emphysema
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Chronic bronchitis - ANSWER-C. Pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Pulmonary fibrosis stiffens lung tissue, decreasing compliance and
making lung expansion more difficult.
What happens to functional residual capacity (FRC) with aging?
A. It increases due to decreased elastic recoil
B. It decreases due to increased alveolar surface area
C. It remains unchanged
D. It decreases due to stronger respiratory muscles - ANSWER-A. It increases due
to decreased elastic recoil
Rationale: FRC increases due to decreased elastic recoil, causing air trapping in
the lungs.
Which of the following is true about lung compliance?
A. Increased compliance always improves breathing efficiency
B. High compliance reduces the ability to exhale fully
C. Decreased compliance leads to airway obstruction
D. Compliance only affects oxygenation, not ventilation - ANSWER-B. High
compliance reduces the ability to exhale fully
3
, Rationale: High lung compliance, seen in emphysema, reduces elastic recoil,
making exhalation difficult.
What type of lung disease primarily causes increased work of breathing due to
airway resistance?
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease
C. Neuromuscular disease
D. Interstitial lung disease - ANSWER-B. Obstructive lung disease
Rationale: Obstructive diseases increase airway resistance, making expiration
more difficult.
What lung volume is most affected in restrictive lung diseases?
A. Total lung capacity (TLC)
B. Residual volume (RV)
C. Tidal volume (TV)
D. Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) - ANSWER-A. Total lung capacity (TLC)
Rationale: Restrictive lung diseases reduce TLC due to stiff lungs.
Which of the following individuals is at the highest risk for a primary spontaneous
pneumothorax?
A. A 65-year-old male with COPD
B. A 50-year-old female with pulmonary fibrosis
C. A 22-year-old tall, thin male with no lung disease
4
Exam Questions and Correct Answers / UTA NURS
5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Respiratory
Questions Review Latest 2026-2027
Which type of pneumothorax occurs without any underlying lung disease?
A. Traumatic pneumothorax
B. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
C. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
D. Tension pneumothorax - ANSWER-C. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Rationale: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in healthy individuals, often
due to ruptured blebs.
Which pulmonary disease is most likely to reduce Inspiratory Reserve Volume
(IRV)?
A. Asthma
B. COPD
C. Emphysema
D. Pulmonary embolism - ANSWER-B. COPD
Rationale: COPD decreases IRV due to airway obstruction and difficulty inhaling
deeply.
What distinguishes a tension pneumothorax from other types?
A. The presence of infection
1
,B. The ability of air to enter but not exit the pleural space
C. The slow accumulation of pleural fluid
D. The absence of respiratory distress - ANSWER-B. The ability of air to enter
but not exit the pleural space
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax involves air entering but not escaping,
increasing intrathoracic pressure and compressing vital structures.
What is a classic clinical sign of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tracheal deviation to the affected side
B. Tracheal deviation to the opposite side
C. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
D. Bradycardia - ANSWER-B. Tracheal deviation to the opposite side
Rationale: In tension pneumothorax, increasing pressure shifts the mediastinum
and trachea to the opposite side.
Which condition is associated with increased lung compliance?
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Emphysema
D. Pneumonia - ANSWER-C. Emphysema
Rationale: Emphysema destroys elastic fibers, making lungs more compliant but
reducing their ability to recoil effectively.
2
,Which of the following is an example of a disease with decreased lung
compliance?
A. Asthma
B. Emphysema
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Chronic bronchitis - ANSWER-C. Pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Pulmonary fibrosis stiffens lung tissue, decreasing compliance and
making lung expansion more difficult.
What happens to functional residual capacity (FRC) with aging?
A. It increases due to decreased elastic recoil
B. It decreases due to increased alveolar surface area
C. It remains unchanged
D. It decreases due to stronger respiratory muscles - ANSWER-A. It increases due
to decreased elastic recoil
Rationale: FRC increases due to decreased elastic recoil, causing air trapping in
the lungs.
Which of the following is true about lung compliance?
A. Increased compliance always improves breathing efficiency
B. High compliance reduces the ability to exhale fully
C. Decreased compliance leads to airway obstruction
D. Compliance only affects oxygenation, not ventilation - ANSWER-B. High
compliance reduces the ability to exhale fully
3
, Rationale: High lung compliance, seen in emphysema, reduces elastic recoil,
making exhalation difficult.
What type of lung disease primarily causes increased work of breathing due to
airway resistance?
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease
C. Neuromuscular disease
D. Interstitial lung disease - ANSWER-B. Obstructive lung disease
Rationale: Obstructive diseases increase airway resistance, making expiration
more difficult.
What lung volume is most affected in restrictive lung diseases?
A. Total lung capacity (TLC)
B. Residual volume (RV)
C. Tidal volume (TV)
D. Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) - ANSWER-A. Total lung capacity (TLC)
Rationale: Restrictive lung diseases reduce TLC due to stiff lungs.
Which of the following individuals is at the highest risk for a primary spontaneous
pneumothorax?
A. A 65-year-old male with COPD
B. A 50-year-old female with pulmonary fibrosis
C. A 22-year-old tall, thin male with no lung disease
4
