AIR METHODS Core Concepts of Nursing - Blueprint
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. Physiology of the Lungs - ANSWER the trachea (midline) splits (into
bronchioles) to access each lung
- cartilage rings support the trachea to prevent it from collapsing in the
absence of gases
- smooth muscle supports the bronchioles
- capillaries are connected to the alveoli
2. How many lobes does the right lung have? - ANSWER 3 lobes (upper,
middle, and lower lobes)
3. How many lobes does the left lung have? - ANSWER 2 lobes (upper and
lower)
4. Alveoli - ANSWER the location of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas
exchange; located deep in the lungs
- if it is filled with fluid, *no gas exchange can take place* because
diffusion will not take place through the fluid barrier
,5. How does gas exchange in the alveoli work? - ANSWER Carbon dioxide
(CO2) diffuses into the alveoli to be expelled from the body and oxygen
diffuses out to the capillary bed
- "CO2 goes OUT OF body, O2 goes OUT TO body"
6. Oxygenation - ANSWER mechanisms that facilitate or impair the body's
ability to supply oxygen to the cells
7. Respiration - ANSWER the act of inhaling and exhaling air to transport
oxygen to the alveoli so that gas exchange can occur
8. Lifespan Considerations: Airway of Children and Infants - ANSWER
Children:
- have a shorter, narrower airway
- greater risk for obstruction (chocking)
- higher tracheal division (because it's smaller)
Infants:
- 25 million alveoli at birth
- not fully developed
9. Genetic Factors that Affect Oxygenation - ANSWER Hemoglobin and
Hematocrit are the genetic link that affect oxygenation
- *women* have lower concentrations of hemoglobin and hematocrit
10.What does 100% O2 saturation mean? - ANSWER All four spots of each
hemoglobin are filled with an oxygen molecule
,11.Eupnea - ANSWER breathing *within the expected* respiratory rates
- adults: 12-20 (higher as age decreases)
12.tachypnea - ANSWER Increased respiratory rate. *Greater than 20*
respirations per minute
13.bradypnea - ANSWER decreased respiratory rate. *Slower than 12*
respirations per minute
14.apnea - ANSWER absence of breathing
15.Dyspnea - ANSWER labored breathing or shortness of breath that is
painful
16.orthopnea - ANSWER difficulty breathing when supine
17.What drives *healthy people* to breathe? - ANSWER *Hypercarbia*:
breathing due to increased levels of carbon dioxide; AKA hypercapnic
- receptor sites in the aortic arch
18.What drives breathing in people with chronic lung diseases? - ANSWER
*Hypoxia*: breathing due to decreased levels of oxygen
- high levels of O2 will decrease the stimulus to breathe
, 19.The Three Components Necessary for Breathing - ANSWER 1.
*Ventilation*: breathing in; getting air to the alveoli
2. *Diffusion*: gas exchange between alveoli and the RBCs
3. *Perfusion*: the heart pumping blood to get it to the tissues and organs
20.Inspiration - ANSWER active movement of intercostal muscles between
ribs pull ribcage out, creating *negative pressure* inside lungs that suck air
into the lungs
- breathing in
21.Expiration - ANSWER passive relaxation of the intercostals; movement
of air out of the lungs (especially alveoli) must be able to stretch with the
air coming in
- breathing out
22.Nursing Assessment for Oxygenation - ANSWER - Observe for chest
symmetry and depth of breathing, respiratory effort, use of accessory
muscles, and oxygenation status
- palpation (vocal/tactile fremitus: using the ulnar part of the hands to
feel for vibration "say 99")
- percussion
- auscultation (breath sounds)
23.Expected Breath Sounds - ANSWER bronchial, bronchiovesicular,
vesicular
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. Physiology of the Lungs - ANSWER the trachea (midline) splits (into
bronchioles) to access each lung
- cartilage rings support the trachea to prevent it from collapsing in the
absence of gases
- smooth muscle supports the bronchioles
- capillaries are connected to the alveoli
2. How many lobes does the right lung have? - ANSWER 3 lobes (upper,
middle, and lower lobes)
3. How many lobes does the left lung have? - ANSWER 2 lobes (upper and
lower)
4. Alveoli - ANSWER the location of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas
exchange; located deep in the lungs
- if it is filled with fluid, *no gas exchange can take place* because
diffusion will not take place through the fluid barrier
,5. How does gas exchange in the alveoli work? - ANSWER Carbon dioxide
(CO2) diffuses into the alveoli to be expelled from the body and oxygen
diffuses out to the capillary bed
- "CO2 goes OUT OF body, O2 goes OUT TO body"
6. Oxygenation - ANSWER mechanisms that facilitate or impair the body's
ability to supply oxygen to the cells
7. Respiration - ANSWER the act of inhaling and exhaling air to transport
oxygen to the alveoli so that gas exchange can occur
8. Lifespan Considerations: Airway of Children and Infants - ANSWER
Children:
- have a shorter, narrower airway
- greater risk for obstruction (chocking)
- higher tracheal division (because it's smaller)
Infants:
- 25 million alveoli at birth
- not fully developed
9. Genetic Factors that Affect Oxygenation - ANSWER Hemoglobin and
Hematocrit are the genetic link that affect oxygenation
- *women* have lower concentrations of hemoglobin and hematocrit
10.What does 100% O2 saturation mean? - ANSWER All four spots of each
hemoglobin are filled with an oxygen molecule
,11.Eupnea - ANSWER breathing *within the expected* respiratory rates
- adults: 12-20 (higher as age decreases)
12.tachypnea - ANSWER Increased respiratory rate. *Greater than 20*
respirations per minute
13.bradypnea - ANSWER decreased respiratory rate. *Slower than 12*
respirations per minute
14.apnea - ANSWER absence of breathing
15.Dyspnea - ANSWER labored breathing or shortness of breath that is
painful
16.orthopnea - ANSWER difficulty breathing when supine
17.What drives *healthy people* to breathe? - ANSWER *Hypercarbia*:
breathing due to increased levels of carbon dioxide; AKA hypercapnic
- receptor sites in the aortic arch
18.What drives breathing in people with chronic lung diseases? - ANSWER
*Hypoxia*: breathing due to decreased levels of oxygen
- high levels of O2 will decrease the stimulus to breathe
, 19.The Three Components Necessary for Breathing - ANSWER 1.
*Ventilation*: breathing in; getting air to the alveoli
2. *Diffusion*: gas exchange between alveoli and the RBCs
3. *Perfusion*: the heart pumping blood to get it to the tissues and organs
20.Inspiration - ANSWER active movement of intercostal muscles between
ribs pull ribcage out, creating *negative pressure* inside lungs that suck air
into the lungs
- breathing in
21.Expiration - ANSWER passive relaxation of the intercostals; movement
of air out of the lungs (especially alveoli) must be able to stretch with the
air coming in
- breathing out
22.Nursing Assessment for Oxygenation - ANSWER - Observe for chest
symmetry and depth of breathing, respiratory effort, use of accessory
muscles, and oxygenation status
- palpation (vocal/tactile fremitus: using the ulnar part of the hands to
feel for vibration "say 99")
- percussion
- auscultation (breath sounds)
23.Expected Breath Sounds - ANSWER bronchial, bronchiovesicular,
vesicular
