NUR 301 RESPIRATORY 2026/2027 – COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & EXAM REVIEW
apnea - ANS ✔✔temporary cessation of breathing
bronchophony - ANS ✔✔abnormal increases in clarity of transmitted voice sounds heard when
auscultating lungs
bronchoscopy - ANS ✔✔direct examination of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi using an endoscope
cilia - ANS ✔✔short, fine hairs that provide a constant whipping motion that serves to propel mucus and
foreign substances away from the lung towards the larynx
compliance - ANS ✔✔measure of the force required to expand or inflate the lungs
crackles - ANS ✔✔nonmusical, discontinuous popping sounds during inspiration caused by delayed
reopening of the airways heard on chest auscultation
dyspnea - ANS ✔✔subjective experience that describes an uncomfortable or painful breathing sensation
when either at rest or while walking or climbing stairs; also commonly referred to as shortness of breath
egophony - ANS ✔✔abnormal change in tone of voice that is heard when auscultating the lungs
fremitus - ANS ✔✔vibrations of speech felt as tremors of the chest wall during palpation
hemoptysis - ANS ✔✔expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract
hypoxemia - ANS ✔✔decrease in arterial oxygen tension in the blood
hypoxia - ANS ✔✔decrease in oxygen supply to the tissues and cells
obstructive sleep apnea - ANS ✔✔temporary absence of breathing during sleep secondary to transient
upper airway obstruction
orthopnea - ANS ✔✔shortness of breath when lying flat; relieved by sitting or standing
oxygen saturation - ANS ✔✔percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen
physiologic dead space - ANS ✔✔portion of the tracheobronchial tree that does not participate in gas
exchange
pulmonary diffusion - ANS ✔✔exchange of gas molecules (oxygen and carbon dioxide) from areas of
high concentration to areas of low concentration
pulmonary perfusion - ANS ✔✔blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature
QUESTIONS & EXAM REVIEW
apnea - ANS ✔✔temporary cessation of breathing
bronchophony - ANS ✔✔abnormal increases in clarity of transmitted voice sounds heard when
auscultating lungs
bronchoscopy - ANS ✔✔direct examination of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi using an endoscope
cilia - ANS ✔✔short, fine hairs that provide a constant whipping motion that serves to propel mucus and
foreign substances away from the lung towards the larynx
compliance - ANS ✔✔measure of the force required to expand or inflate the lungs
crackles - ANS ✔✔nonmusical, discontinuous popping sounds during inspiration caused by delayed
reopening of the airways heard on chest auscultation
dyspnea - ANS ✔✔subjective experience that describes an uncomfortable or painful breathing sensation
when either at rest or while walking or climbing stairs; also commonly referred to as shortness of breath
egophony - ANS ✔✔abnormal change in tone of voice that is heard when auscultating the lungs
fremitus - ANS ✔✔vibrations of speech felt as tremors of the chest wall during palpation
hemoptysis - ANS ✔✔expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract
hypoxemia - ANS ✔✔decrease in arterial oxygen tension in the blood
hypoxia - ANS ✔✔decrease in oxygen supply to the tissues and cells
obstructive sleep apnea - ANS ✔✔temporary absence of breathing during sleep secondary to transient
upper airway obstruction
orthopnea - ANS ✔✔shortness of breath when lying flat; relieved by sitting or standing
oxygen saturation - ANS ✔✔percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen
physiologic dead space - ANS ✔✔portion of the tracheobronchial tree that does not participate in gas
exchange
pulmonary diffusion - ANS ✔✔exchange of gas molecules (oxygen and carbon dioxide) from areas of
high concentration to areas of low concentration
pulmonary perfusion - ANS ✔✔blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature
