6th Edition J. M. Cairo| All Chapters| Latest Update 2025/2026
Chapter 01: Basic Terms And Concepts Of Mechanical Ventilation
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The Body’s Mechanism For Conducting Air In And Out Of The Lungs Is Known As
Which Of The Following?
a. External Respiration
b. Internal Respiration
c. Spontaneous Ventilation
d. Mechanical Ventilation
ANS: C
The Conduction Of Air In And Out Of The Body Is Known As Ventilation. Since The
Question Asks For The Body’s Mechanism, This Would Be Spontaneous Ventilation.
External Respiration In Volves The Exchange Of Oxygen (O2) And Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Between The Alveoli And The Pulmonary Capillaries. Internal Respiration Occurs At The
Cellular Level And Involves Movement Of Oxygen From The Systemic Blood Into The
Cells.
REF: Pg. 2
,2. Which Of The Following Are Involved In External Respiration?
a. Red Blood Cells And Body Cells
b. Scalenes And Trapezius Muscles
c. Alveoli And Pulmonary Capillaries
d. External Oblique And Transverse Abdominal Muscles
ANS: C
External Respiration Involves The Exchange Of Oxygen And Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Between The Alveoli And The Pulmonary Capillaries. Internal Respiration Occurs At The
Cellular Level And In Volves Movement Of Oxygen From The Systemic Blood Into The
Cells. Scalene And Trapezius Muscles Are Accessory Muscles Of Inspiration. External
Oblique And Transverse Abdominal Muscles Are Accessory Muscles Of Expiration.
REF: Pg. 2
3. The Graph That Shows Intrapleural Pressure Changes During Normal Spontaneous
Breathing Is Depicted By Which Of The Following?
A.
, B.
C.
D.
ANS: B
During Spontaneous Breathing, The Intrapleural Pressure Drops From 5 Cm H2O At End-
About Expiration To About 10 Cm H2O At End-
Inspiration. The Graph Depicted For Answer B Shows That Change 5 Cm H2O To 10
From H2O.
Cm
REF: Pg. 3
4. During Spontaneous Inspiration Alveolar Pressure (PA) Is About: .
a. 1 Cm H2O
B. +1 Cm H2O
c. 0 Cm H2O
d. 5 Cm H2O
ANS: A
1 Cm H2O Is The Lowest Alveolar Pressure Will Become During Normal Spontaneous
Ventilation. During The Exhalation Of A Normal Spontaneous Breath The Alveolar Pressure
1 Become
Will
Cm H2O.
REF: Pg. 4
5. The Pressure Required To Maintain Alveolar Inflation Is Known As Which Of The Following?
a. Transairway Pressure (PTA)
b. Transthoracic Pressure (PTT)
c. Transrespiratory Pressure (PTR)
d. Transpulmonary Pressure (PL)
ANS: D
, The Definition Of Transpulmonary Pressure (PL) Is The Pressure Required To Maintain
Alveolar Inflation. Transairway Pressure (PTA) Is The Pressure Gradient Required To Produce
Airflow In The Conducting Tubes. Transrespiratory Pressure (PTR) Is The Pressure To Inflate
The Lungs And Airways During Positive-
Pressure Ventilation. Transthoracic Pressure (P TT) Represents The Pressure Required To
Expand Or Contract The Lungs And The Chest Wall At The Same Time.
REF: Pg. 4
6. Calculate The Pressure Needed To Overcome Airway Resistance During Positive-
Pressure Ventilation When The Proximal Airway Pressure (Paw) Is 35 Cm H2O And The
Alveolar Pressure (PA) Is 5 Cm H2O.
a. 7 Cm H2O
b. 30 Cm H2O
c. 40 Cm H2O
d. 175 Cm H2O
ANS: B
The Transairway Pressure (PTA) Is Used To Calculate The Pressure Required To Overcome
Airway Resistance During Mechanical Ventilation. This Formula Is PTA = Paw - PA.
REF: Pg. 4
7. The Term Used To Describe The Tendency Of A Structure To Return To Its Original Form
After Being Stretched Or Acted On By An Outside Force Is Which Of The Following?
a. Elastance
b. Compliance
c. Viscous Resistance
d. Distending Pressure
ANS: A
The Elastance Of A Structure Is The Tendency Of That Structure To Return To Its Original
Shape After Being Stretched. The More Elastance A Structure Has, The More Difficult It Is
To Stretch. The Compliance Of A Structure Is The Ease With Which The Structure
Distends Or Stretches.
Compliance Is The Opposite Of Elastance. Viscous Resistance Is The Opposition To
Movement Offered By Adjacent Structures Such As The Lungs And Their Adjacent Organs.
Distending Pressure Is Pressure Required To Maintain Inflation, For Example, Alveolar
Distending Pressure.
REF: Pg. 5
8. Calculate The Pressure Required To Achieve A Tidal Volume Of 400 Ml For An Intubated
Patient With A Respiratory System Compliance Of 15 Ml/Cm H2O.
a. 6 Cm H2O
b. 26.7 Cm H2O
c. 37.5 Cm H2O
d. 41.5 Cm H2O
ANS: B
C = V/ The = V/ C
n
REF: Pg. 5