NURS 168 UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
What does a properly functioning alveolar system do? - CORRECT ANSWER -
oxygenates venous blood and removes CO2 from blood
What is the purpose of a properly functioning cardiovascular and blood supply? - CORRECT
ANSWER - carry nutrients and waste to and from body cells
What is the function of the upper airway? - CORRECT ANSWER - warm, filter, humidify
inspired air
What are the components of the upper respiratory system? - CORRECT ANSWER - nose,
pharynx, larynx, and epiglottis
What is the function of the lower airway? - CORRECT ANSWER - conduction of air,
mucociliary clearance, production of pulmonary surfactant
What are the components of the lower airway? - CORRECT ANSWER - trachea, right and
left mainstem bronchi, segmental bronchi, and terminal bronchioles
alveoli - CORRECT ANSWER - small air sac where gas exchange occurs
surfactant - CORRECT ANSWER - reduces the surface tension between alveoli preventing
their collapse
pleura - CORRECT ANSWER - serous membrane lining the lungs (visceral) and thoracic
(parietal) cavity
pulmonary ventilation - CORRECT ANSWER - movement of air into and out of the lungs
, respiration - CORRECT ANSWER - involves gas exchange between the atmospheric air in
alveoli and the blood in the capillaries
perfusion - CORRECT ANSWER - process by which oxygenated capillary blood passes
through body tissues
What is the process of ventilation? - CORRECT ANSWER - -The diaphragm contracts and
descends, lengthening the thoracic cavity.
-The external intercostal muscles contract, lifting the ribs upward and outward.
-The sternum is pushed forward, enlarging the chest from front to back
-Increased lung volume and decreased intrapulmonic pressure allow air to move from an area of
greater pressure (outside lungs) to lesser pressure (inside lungs).
-The relaxation of these structures results in expiration.
What is gas exchange (respiration) made possible by? - CORRECT ANSWER - respiration
and perfusion
How does respiration occur? - CORRECT ANSWER - by diffusion (movement of O2 and
CO2 between the air and blood)
Which respiratory organ is the site of gas exchange? - CORRECT ANSWER - alveoli
What factors influence diffusion of gases in the lungs? - CORRECT ANSWER - -change
in surface area available
-thickening of alveolar-capillary membrane
-partial pressure
-solubility and molecular weight of the gas
CORRECT Answers
What does a properly functioning alveolar system do? - CORRECT ANSWER -
oxygenates venous blood and removes CO2 from blood
What is the purpose of a properly functioning cardiovascular and blood supply? - CORRECT
ANSWER - carry nutrients and waste to and from body cells
What is the function of the upper airway? - CORRECT ANSWER - warm, filter, humidify
inspired air
What are the components of the upper respiratory system? - CORRECT ANSWER - nose,
pharynx, larynx, and epiglottis
What is the function of the lower airway? - CORRECT ANSWER - conduction of air,
mucociliary clearance, production of pulmonary surfactant
What are the components of the lower airway? - CORRECT ANSWER - trachea, right and
left mainstem bronchi, segmental bronchi, and terminal bronchioles
alveoli - CORRECT ANSWER - small air sac where gas exchange occurs
surfactant - CORRECT ANSWER - reduces the surface tension between alveoli preventing
their collapse
pleura - CORRECT ANSWER - serous membrane lining the lungs (visceral) and thoracic
(parietal) cavity
pulmonary ventilation - CORRECT ANSWER - movement of air into and out of the lungs
, respiration - CORRECT ANSWER - involves gas exchange between the atmospheric air in
alveoli and the blood in the capillaries
perfusion - CORRECT ANSWER - process by which oxygenated capillary blood passes
through body tissues
What is the process of ventilation? - CORRECT ANSWER - -The diaphragm contracts and
descends, lengthening the thoracic cavity.
-The external intercostal muscles contract, lifting the ribs upward and outward.
-The sternum is pushed forward, enlarging the chest from front to back
-Increased lung volume and decreased intrapulmonic pressure allow air to move from an area of
greater pressure (outside lungs) to lesser pressure (inside lungs).
-The relaxation of these structures results in expiration.
What is gas exchange (respiration) made possible by? - CORRECT ANSWER - respiration
and perfusion
How does respiration occur? - CORRECT ANSWER - by diffusion (movement of O2 and
CO2 between the air and blood)
Which respiratory organ is the site of gas exchange? - CORRECT ANSWER - alveoli
What factors influence diffusion of gases in the lungs? - CORRECT ANSWER - -change
in surface area available
-thickening of alveolar-capillary membrane
-partial pressure
-solubility and molecular weight of the gas
