NURS 5220 Advanced Health Assessment Test 6: Chest and Lungs - The University of Texas
at Arlington
(60 questions with answers and brief rationales)
1. The trachea bifurcates into right and left main bronchi at the:
A. Carina
B. Epiglottis
C. Larynx
D. Alveoli
Answer: A
Rationale: The carina is the cartilaginous ridge at the bifurcation of the trachea into the
main bronchi.
2. The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left, making
it a common site for:
A. Aspiration
B. Emphysema
C. Atelectasis
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: A
Rationale: The anatomy of the right main bronchus makes aspiration more likely to
occur on the right side.
3. The smallest functional unit of the lung is the:
A. Alveolus
B. Bronchiole
C. Acinus
D. Lobule
Answer: C
Rationale: The acinus is the smallest functional unit of the lung, consisting of respiratory
bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.
4. The left lung has lobes; the right lung has lobes.
A. 2; 3
B. 3; 2
C. 2; 2
, D. 3; 3
Answer: A
Rationale: The left lung has two lobes (upper and lower); the right lung has three (upper,
middle, lower).
5. The pleura that lines the chest wall is the:
A. Visceral pleura
B. Parietal pleura
C. Serous pleura
D. Fibrous pleura
Answer: B
Rationale: The parietal pleura lines the chest wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum.
6. The pleura that covers the lung surface is the:
A. Visceral pleura
B. Parietal pleura
C. Serous pleura
D. Fibrous pleura
Answer: A
Rationale: The visceral pleura adheres directly to the lung surface.
7. The diaphragm is innervated by the:
A. Phrenic nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Intercostal nerves
D. Accessory nerve
Answer: A
Rationale: The phrenic nerve (C3–C5) provides motor innervation to the diaphragm.
8. The primary muscle of inspiration is the:
A. Diaphragm
B. Intercostal muscles
C. Scalene muscles
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Answer: A
at Arlington
(60 questions with answers and brief rationales)
1. The trachea bifurcates into right and left main bronchi at the:
A. Carina
B. Epiglottis
C. Larynx
D. Alveoli
Answer: A
Rationale: The carina is the cartilaginous ridge at the bifurcation of the trachea into the
main bronchi.
2. The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left, making
it a common site for:
A. Aspiration
B. Emphysema
C. Atelectasis
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: A
Rationale: The anatomy of the right main bronchus makes aspiration more likely to
occur on the right side.
3. The smallest functional unit of the lung is the:
A. Alveolus
B. Bronchiole
C. Acinus
D. Lobule
Answer: C
Rationale: The acinus is the smallest functional unit of the lung, consisting of respiratory
bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.
4. The left lung has lobes; the right lung has lobes.
A. 2; 3
B. 3; 2
C. 2; 2
, D. 3; 3
Answer: A
Rationale: The left lung has two lobes (upper and lower); the right lung has three (upper,
middle, lower).
5. The pleura that lines the chest wall is the:
A. Visceral pleura
B. Parietal pleura
C. Serous pleura
D. Fibrous pleura
Answer: B
Rationale: The parietal pleura lines the chest wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum.
6. The pleura that covers the lung surface is the:
A. Visceral pleura
B. Parietal pleura
C. Serous pleura
D. Fibrous pleura
Answer: A
Rationale: The visceral pleura adheres directly to the lung surface.
7. The diaphragm is innervated by the:
A. Phrenic nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Intercostal nerves
D. Accessory nerve
Answer: A
Rationale: The phrenic nerve (C3–C5) provides motor innervation to the diaphragm.
8. The primary muscle of inspiration is the:
A. Diaphragm
B. Intercostal muscles
C. Scalene muscles
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Answer: A