N172 RESPIRATORY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
How do chemoreceptors help to control respiration? - ANSWER they
respond to changes in PaCO2 and pH
How do mechanical receptors help to control respiration? - ANSWER
they respond to a variety of physiologic factors
mechanoreceptors detect pressure
Chemoreceptors are groups of nerve cells that can distinguish between
_____________ and ________________ - ANSWER hydrogen ions
oxygen
How do chemoreceptors influence the autonomic nervous system's
control of ventilation? - ANSWER by correlating acid-base balance with
gas exchange requirements
Where are chemoreceptors located? - ANSWER centrally and
peripherally in both the carotid arteries and arch of the aorta
How are mechanical receptors stimulated? - ANSWER by irritants,
muscle stretching, and alveolar wall distortion
Why does air flow into/out of the lungs? - ANSWER barometric pressure
differences
What is the primary purpose of the respiratory system? - ANSWER gas
exchange
What are the structures of the upper respiratory tract? - ANSWER nose,
mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea
What are the structures of the lower respiratory tract? - ANSWER
bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli
What are the respiratory defense mechanisms? - ANSWER filtration of
air
, mucociliary clearance system
cough reflex
reflex bronchoconstriction
alveolar macrophages
What is the normal ratio of inhalation:exhalation? - ANSWER 1:2
egophany - ANSWER have the patient say eeeeew
if it sounds like A, this is abnormal
broncophony - ANSWER have the patient say 99
If you can hear 99 clearly, this is abnormal
pectoriloquy - ANSWER have the patient whisper 123
if you can hear it clearly, this is abnormal
What could uneven chest movement indicate? - ANSWER atelectasis
pneumothorax
chest wall incision pain
What could equal but diminished chest movement indicate? - ANSWER
hyperinflated/barrel chest
neuromuscular diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS])
Percussion: Resonance - ANSWER low-pitched sound heard over
normal lungs
Percussion: Hyperresonance - ANSWER loud, lower-pitched sound than
normal resonance heard over hyper inflated lungs, such as in chronic
obstructive lung disease and acute asthma
Percussion: Tympany - ANSWER sound with drum-like, loud, empty
quality heard over gas-filled stomach or investing, or pneumothorax
percussion: dull - ANSWER sound with medium-intensity pitch and
duration heard over areas of "mixed" solid and lung tissue, such as over
top area of liver, partially consolidated lung tissue (pneumonia), or fluid-
filled pleural space
ANSWERS
How do chemoreceptors help to control respiration? - ANSWER they
respond to changes in PaCO2 and pH
How do mechanical receptors help to control respiration? - ANSWER
they respond to a variety of physiologic factors
mechanoreceptors detect pressure
Chemoreceptors are groups of nerve cells that can distinguish between
_____________ and ________________ - ANSWER hydrogen ions
oxygen
How do chemoreceptors influence the autonomic nervous system's
control of ventilation? - ANSWER by correlating acid-base balance with
gas exchange requirements
Where are chemoreceptors located? - ANSWER centrally and
peripherally in both the carotid arteries and arch of the aorta
How are mechanical receptors stimulated? - ANSWER by irritants,
muscle stretching, and alveolar wall distortion
Why does air flow into/out of the lungs? - ANSWER barometric pressure
differences
What is the primary purpose of the respiratory system? - ANSWER gas
exchange
What are the structures of the upper respiratory tract? - ANSWER nose,
mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea
What are the structures of the lower respiratory tract? - ANSWER
bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli
What are the respiratory defense mechanisms? - ANSWER filtration of
air
, mucociliary clearance system
cough reflex
reflex bronchoconstriction
alveolar macrophages
What is the normal ratio of inhalation:exhalation? - ANSWER 1:2
egophany - ANSWER have the patient say eeeeew
if it sounds like A, this is abnormal
broncophony - ANSWER have the patient say 99
If you can hear 99 clearly, this is abnormal
pectoriloquy - ANSWER have the patient whisper 123
if you can hear it clearly, this is abnormal
What could uneven chest movement indicate? - ANSWER atelectasis
pneumothorax
chest wall incision pain
What could equal but diminished chest movement indicate? - ANSWER
hyperinflated/barrel chest
neuromuscular diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS])
Percussion: Resonance - ANSWER low-pitched sound heard over
normal lungs
Percussion: Hyperresonance - ANSWER loud, lower-pitched sound than
normal resonance heard over hyper inflated lungs, such as in chronic
obstructive lung disease and acute asthma
Percussion: Tympany - ANSWER sound with drum-like, loud, empty
quality heard over gas-filled stomach or investing, or pneumothorax
percussion: dull - ANSWER sound with medium-intensity pitch and
duration heard over areas of "mixed" solid and lung tissue, such as over
top area of liver, partially consolidated lung tissue (pneumonia), or fluid-
filled pleural space
