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CARDIOPULMONARY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY- ESSENTIALS OF
RESPIRATORY CARE, 7TH EDITION 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology: Essentials of Respiratory Care, 7th
Edition by Terry Des Jardins.
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Based on the textbook's table of contents, this exam covers the following ten core
domains:
1. Respiratory System Anatomy and Physiology: Upper and lower airway
structures, lungs, and mechanics of breathing.
2. Ventilation and Pulmonary Function: Lung volumes, capacities, and
pulmonary function testing.
3. Gas Diffusion and Transport: Alveolar-capillary diffusion, oxygen and carbon
dioxide transport in the blood.
4. Circulatory System and Acid-Base Balance: Cardiac anatomy, blood flow, and
regulation of pH.
5. Ventilation-Perfusion Relationships and Control of Ventilation: V/Q matching
and neural/chemical regulation of breathing.
6. Fetal Development and Aging: Cardiopulmonary changes across the lifespan.
7. Electrophysiology and ECG Interpretation: Cardiac electrical activity, standard
12-lead ECG, and rhythm analysis.
8. Hemodynamic Measurements and Renal Function: Cardiac output, blood
pressure regulation, and renal effects on the cardiopulmonary system.
9. Sleep Physiology: Sleep stages, sleep disorders, and their cardiopulmonary
effects.
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10. Environmental Physiology and Exercise: Effects of exercise, high altitude, and
high-pressure environments on the cardiopulmonary system.
Section 1: The Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System (Questions 1–15)
1. Which of the following structures are considered the primary components of the
upper airway, responsible for conducting gas to the lower airway?
A. Larynx, trachea, and bronchi
B. Nose, oral cavity, and pharynx
C. Trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles
D. Alveoli, alveolar ducts, and respiratory bronchioles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nose, oral cavity, and pharynx are the primary structures that compose
the upper airway. The trachea and bronchi, along with the subglottic portion of the
larynx, are located in the lower airway.
2. Which of the following is NOT considered a primary function of the nose in the
respiratory system?
A. Humidifying inspired gas
B. Filtering the inspired gas
C. Warming the inspired gas
D. Conducting gas and food to the lower airway
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nose serves as a passageway for gas, not food, to the lower airway. The
nose humidifies, warms, and filters inspired gas. Food is conducted to the lower airway
through the pharynx and esophagus, not the nose.
3. Which of the following functions are performed by the upper airway, including
conduction of gas, preventing foreign materials from entering, and aiding in speech?
A. I and II only
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B. I, II, and III only
C. I, III, and IV only
D. I, II, III, and IV
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The upper airway performs all of the listed functions: conduction of gas to
the lower airway, preventing foreign materials from entering,
warming/filtering/humidifying inspired gas, and aiding in speech and smell.
4. What is the term for the widening of the nostrils that can occur during respiratory
distress, especially seen in newborns?
A. Grunting
B. Retractions
C. Alar collapse
D. Nasal flaring
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nasal flaring is the term for the widening of the nostrils, especially seen in
respiratory distress in newborns and patients with increased work of breathing. This is a
compensatory mechanism to decrease airway resistance and improve airflow.
5. Which anatomical structure forms the anterior portion of the nasal septum, which is
important for recognizing a deviated septum?
A. Septal cartilage
B. Vomer bone
C. Perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone
D. Nasal bones
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior nasal septum is formed by the septal cartilage. The posterior
septum is formed by the vomer bone and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone.
6. Which type of epithelium lines the anterior one-third of the nasal cavity, providing
protection against mechanical stress?
A. Stratified squamous epithelium
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B. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
C. Simple cuboidal epithelium
D. Transitional epithelium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stratified squamous epithelium lines the anterior one-third of the nasal
cavity. This type of epithelium provides protection against mechanical stress and
abrasion from incoming air and particulate matter.
7. Which of the following structures is a flap of cartilage that covers the laryngeal
opening during swallowing, preventing aspiration?
A. Glottis
B. Epiglottis
C. Uvula
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the laryngeal opening during
swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the lower airway. Dysfunction can
lead to aspiration pneumonia.
8. What is the function of the vibrissae located in the nasal cavity, which serve as a first
line of defense?
A. Produce mucus
B. Filter large particles from inspired air
C. Warm inspired air
D. Detect odors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vibrissae are coarse hairs located in the vestibule of the nasal cavity that
trap large particles from inspired air, serving as the first line of defense against inhaled
contaminants.
9. What are the choanae, which are important landmarks in the nasal cavity?
A. The openings of the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx
CARDIOPULMONARY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY- ESSENTIALS OF
RESPIRATORY CARE, 7TH EDITION 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology: Essentials of Respiratory Care, 7th
Edition by Terry Des Jardins.
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Based on the textbook's table of contents, this exam covers the following ten core
domains:
1. Respiratory System Anatomy and Physiology: Upper and lower airway
structures, lungs, and mechanics of breathing.
2. Ventilation and Pulmonary Function: Lung volumes, capacities, and
pulmonary function testing.
3. Gas Diffusion and Transport: Alveolar-capillary diffusion, oxygen and carbon
dioxide transport in the blood.
4. Circulatory System and Acid-Base Balance: Cardiac anatomy, blood flow, and
regulation of pH.
5. Ventilation-Perfusion Relationships and Control of Ventilation: V/Q matching
and neural/chemical regulation of breathing.
6. Fetal Development and Aging: Cardiopulmonary changes across the lifespan.
7. Electrophysiology and ECG Interpretation: Cardiac electrical activity, standard
12-lead ECG, and rhythm analysis.
8. Hemodynamic Measurements and Renal Function: Cardiac output, blood
pressure regulation, and renal effects on the cardiopulmonary system.
9. Sleep Physiology: Sleep stages, sleep disorders, and their cardiopulmonary
effects.
, Page 2 of 148
10. Environmental Physiology and Exercise: Effects of exercise, high altitude, and
high-pressure environments on the cardiopulmonary system.
Section 1: The Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System (Questions 1–15)
1. Which of the following structures are considered the primary components of the
upper airway, responsible for conducting gas to the lower airway?
A. Larynx, trachea, and bronchi
B. Nose, oral cavity, and pharynx
C. Trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles
D. Alveoli, alveolar ducts, and respiratory bronchioles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nose, oral cavity, and pharynx are the primary structures that compose
the upper airway. The trachea and bronchi, along with the subglottic portion of the
larynx, are located in the lower airway.
2. Which of the following is NOT considered a primary function of the nose in the
respiratory system?
A. Humidifying inspired gas
B. Filtering the inspired gas
C. Warming the inspired gas
D. Conducting gas and food to the lower airway
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nose serves as a passageway for gas, not food, to the lower airway. The
nose humidifies, warms, and filters inspired gas. Food is conducted to the lower airway
through the pharynx and esophagus, not the nose.
3. Which of the following functions are performed by the upper airway, including
conduction of gas, preventing foreign materials from entering, and aiding in speech?
A. I and II only
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B. I, II, and III only
C. I, III, and IV only
D. I, II, III, and IV
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The upper airway performs all of the listed functions: conduction of gas to
the lower airway, preventing foreign materials from entering,
warming/filtering/humidifying inspired gas, and aiding in speech and smell.
4. What is the term for the widening of the nostrils that can occur during respiratory
distress, especially seen in newborns?
A. Grunting
B. Retractions
C. Alar collapse
D. Nasal flaring
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nasal flaring is the term for the widening of the nostrils, especially seen in
respiratory distress in newborns and patients with increased work of breathing. This is a
compensatory mechanism to decrease airway resistance and improve airflow.
5. Which anatomical structure forms the anterior portion of the nasal septum, which is
important for recognizing a deviated septum?
A. Septal cartilage
B. Vomer bone
C. Perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone
D. Nasal bones
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior nasal septum is formed by the septal cartilage. The posterior
septum is formed by the vomer bone and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone.
6. Which type of epithelium lines the anterior one-third of the nasal cavity, providing
protection against mechanical stress?
A. Stratified squamous epithelium
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B. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
C. Simple cuboidal epithelium
D. Transitional epithelium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stratified squamous epithelium lines the anterior one-third of the nasal
cavity. This type of epithelium provides protection against mechanical stress and
abrasion from incoming air and particulate matter.
7. Which of the following structures is a flap of cartilage that covers the laryngeal
opening during swallowing, preventing aspiration?
A. Glottis
B. Epiglottis
C. Uvula
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the laryngeal opening during
swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the lower airway. Dysfunction can
lead to aspiration pneumonia.
8. What is the function of the vibrissae located in the nasal cavity, which serve as a first
line of defense?
A. Produce mucus
B. Filter large particles from inspired air
C. Warm inspired air
D. Detect odors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vibrissae are coarse hairs located in the vestibule of the nasal cavity that
trap large particles from inspired air, serving as the first line of defense against inhaled
contaminants.
9. What are the choanae, which are important landmarks in the nasal cavity?
A. The openings of the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx
