APEX Mock Exam 1 Questions 2026/2027 | Actual Questions
and Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Match each type of pneumocyte with its role in the lung. Type I Type II Type III
Correct Answer: I. Type I-provides surface for gas exchange
II. Type II-promotes immunity
III. Type III-produces surfactant
• Question
Match each upper airway dilator muscle to the structure it primarily controls.
Genioglossus- Tensor palatine- Hyoid-
Correct Answer: I. Genioglossus-tongue
II. tensor palatine-soft palate
III. hyoid-epiglottis
As the airways divide to form the tracheobronchial tree, which statement is false?
• Question
a. Aiflow velocity decreases
b. Airway smooth muscle increases
c. Cartilaginous support decreases
d. Mucus production increases
Correct Answer: d. mucus production increases
Compared to the mainstem bronchi, which statements BEST describe the terminal
bronchi (select 2):
• Question
a. Airflow velocity is reduced
b. There is more cartilage
c. Cross-sectional area is greater
d. There are more goblet cells
Correct Answer: A and C
Select the ONLY intrinsic larngeal muscle that is innervated by the superior laryngeal
nerve.
,• Question
a. lateral cricoarytenoid
b. cricothyroid
c. thyroarytenoid
d. posterior cricoarytenoid
Correct Answer: b. cricothryoid
Which nerve serves as the afferent limb of the laryngospasm reflex?
• Question
a. recurrent laryngeal
b. glossopharyngeal
c. superior larnygeal external branch
d. superior laryngeal internal branch
Correct Answer: d. superior laryngeal internal branch
Match the anatomical area with the nerve that provides its sensory innervation.
mucus membrane above the VC oropharynx and posterior tongue mucus lining of
nasopharynx mucus membrane above the VC
• Question
answer choices: glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, recurrent laryngeal, superior laryngeal
Correct Answer: I. mucus
II. membrane above the VC-recurrent laryngeal
III. oropharynx and posterior tongue-glossopharnygeal
IV. mucus lining of nasopharynx-trigeminal
V. mucus membrane above the VC-superior laryngeal
Match the intrinsic muscle of the larynx with its action on the VC.
• Question
cricothyroidaryepiglotticposterior cricoarytenoidlateral cricoarytenoid-
Correct Answer: I. cricothyroid-tenses VC
II. aryepiglottic-closes laryngeal vestibule
III. posterior cricoarytenoid-abducts VC
IV. lateral cricoarytenoid-adducts VC
Match the laryngeal cartilage with its unique characteristic.
,• Question
Blocks glottis when larynx elevates during swallowing Provides major protection for
laryngeal components Largely responsible for vocal cord function The only
non-expandable structure in the larynx
Correct Answer: I. Blocks glottis when larynx elevates during
II. swallowing-epiglottis
III. Provides major protection for laryngeal components-thyroid
IV. Largely responsible for vocal cord function-arytenoids
V. The only non-expandable structure in the larynx-cricoid
Which nerve is blocked by injecting local anesthetic at the inferior border of the greater
cornu of the hyoid bone?
• Question
SLN Glossopharyngeal Recurrent laryngeal Lingual
Correct Answer: SLN
Which data points are needed to calculate the A-a gradient? Select 4.
• Question
a. PETCO2
b. FiO2
c. PaO2
d. Hgb
e. PaCO2
f. SaO2
g. Ambient pressure
h. body mass
Correct Answer: I. a. PETCO2
II. d. Hgb
III. e.PaCO2
IV. f. SaO2
Match the condition with its effect on alveolar or anatomic dead space.
• Question
High cardiac output Artificial airway Head extension High PEEP
Correct Answer: I. High cardiac output-increases alveolar dead space
II. Artifical airway-decreases anatomic dead space
III. Head extension-Increases anatomic dead space
IV. High PEEP-decreases alveolar dead space
Which of the following increases FRC?
, • Question
a. neuromuscular blockade
b. pulmonary edema
c. trendelenburg position
d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Correct Answer: d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Select the statement that MOST accurately describes V/Q mismatch in the overinflated
alveoli.
• Question
a. a V/Q ratio of infinity indicates a shunt unit.
b. a dead space alveolus can transfer relatively more CO2 than O2
c. bronchial dilation reduces dead space.
d. CO2 retention tends to occur before hypoxemia
Correct Answer: b. a dead space alveolus can transfer relatively more CO2 than O2
double check this answer***
Which of the following corresponse to the amount of gas that can be forcibly exhaled
after a tidal exhalation?
• Question
a. expiratory reserve volume
b. residual volume
c. FRC
d. vital capacity
Correct Answer: a. expiratory reserve volume
The MOST potent stimulus of the central respiratory chemoreceptor is a /an:
• Question
a. elevated CO2
b. metabolic acidosis
c. low O2 level
d. diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: a. elevated CO2
and Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Match each type of pneumocyte with its role in the lung. Type I Type II Type III
Correct Answer: I. Type I-provides surface for gas exchange
II. Type II-promotes immunity
III. Type III-produces surfactant
• Question
Match each upper airway dilator muscle to the structure it primarily controls.
Genioglossus- Tensor palatine- Hyoid-
Correct Answer: I. Genioglossus-tongue
II. tensor palatine-soft palate
III. hyoid-epiglottis
As the airways divide to form the tracheobronchial tree, which statement is false?
• Question
a. Aiflow velocity decreases
b. Airway smooth muscle increases
c. Cartilaginous support decreases
d. Mucus production increases
Correct Answer: d. mucus production increases
Compared to the mainstem bronchi, which statements BEST describe the terminal
bronchi (select 2):
• Question
a. Airflow velocity is reduced
b. There is more cartilage
c. Cross-sectional area is greater
d. There are more goblet cells
Correct Answer: A and C
Select the ONLY intrinsic larngeal muscle that is innervated by the superior laryngeal
nerve.
,• Question
a. lateral cricoarytenoid
b. cricothyroid
c. thyroarytenoid
d. posterior cricoarytenoid
Correct Answer: b. cricothryoid
Which nerve serves as the afferent limb of the laryngospasm reflex?
• Question
a. recurrent laryngeal
b. glossopharyngeal
c. superior larnygeal external branch
d. superior laryngeal internal branch
Correct Answer: d. superior laryngeal internal branch
Match the anatomical area with the nerve that provides its sensory innervation.
mucus membrane above the VC oropharynx and posterior tongue mucus lining of
nasopharynx mucus membrane above the VC
• Question
answer choices: glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, recurrent laryngeal, superior laryngeal
Correct Answer: I. mucus
II. membrane above the VC-recurrent laryngeal
III. oropharynx and posterior tongue-glossopharnygeal
IV. mucus lining of nasopharynx-trigeminal
V. mucus membrane above the VC-superior laryngeal
Match the intrinsic muscle of the larynx with its action on the VC.
• Question
cricothyroidaryepiglotticposterior cricoarytenoidlateral cricoarytenoid-
Correct Answer: I. cricothyroid-tenses VC
II. aryepiglottic-closes laryngeal vestibule
III. posterior cricoarytenoid-abducts VC
IV. lateral cricoarytenoid-adducts VC
Match the laryngeal cartilage with its unique characteristic.
,• Question
Blocks glottis when larynx elevates during swallowing Provides major protection for
laryngeal components Largely responsible for vocal cord function The only
non-expandable structure in the larynx
Correct Answer: I. Blocks glottis when larynx elevates during
II. swallowing-epiglottis
III. Provides major protection for laryngeal components-thyroid
IV. Largely responsible for vocal cord function-arytenoids
V. The only non-expandable structure in the larynx-cricoid
Which nerve is blocked by injecting local anesthetic at the inferior border of the greater
cornu of the hyoid bone?
• Question
SLN Glossopharyngeal Recurrent laryngeal Lingual
Correct Answer: SLN
Which data points are needed to calculate the A-a gradient? Select 4.
• Question
a. PETCO2
b. FiO2
c. PaO2
d. Hgb
e. PaCO2
f. SaO2
g. Ambient pressure
h. body mass
Correct Answer: I. a. PETCO2
II. d. Hgb
III. e.PaCO2
IV. f. SaO2
Match the condition with its effect on alveolar or anatomic dead space.
• Question
High cardiac output Artificial airway Head extension High PEEP
Correct Answer: I. High cardiac output-increases alveolar dead space
II. Artifical airway-decreases anatomic dead space
III. Head extension-Increases anatomic dead space
IV. High PEEP-decreases alveolar dead space
Which of the following increases FRC?
, • Question
a. neuromuscular blockade
b. pulmonary edema
c. trendelenburg position
d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Correct Answer: d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Select the statement that MOST accurately describes V/Q mismatch in the overinflated
alveoli.
• Question
a. a V/Q ratio of infinity indicates a shunt unit.
b. a dead space alveolus can transfer relatively more CO2 than O2
c. bronchial dilation reduces dead space.
d. CO2 retention tends to occur before hypoxemia
Correct Answer: b. a dead space alveolus can transfer relatively more CO2 than O2
double check this answer***
Which of the following corresponse to the amount of gas that can be forcibly exhaled
after a tidal exhalation?
• Question
a. expiratory reserve volume
b. residual volume
c. FRC
d. vital capacity
Correct Answer: a. expiratory reserve volume
The MOST potent stimulus of the central respiratory chemoreceptor is a /an:
• Question
a. elevated CO2
b. metabolic acidosis
c. low O2 level
d. diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: a. elevated CO2
