Nursing Respiratory Pathophysiology 2026 Practice
Test Questions & Detailed Rationales: Pulmonary
Disorders, Oxygenation, Ventilation, Gas Exchange &
Clinical Manifestations Review
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the anatomy of the respiratory system. Which structure is
responsible for gas exchange?
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Rationale: The alveoli are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs. They are
tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries where oxygen and carbon dioxide are
exchanged.
Question 2
Which muscle is the primary muscle of respiration?
A. Intercostal muscles
B. Diaphragm
C. Abdominal muscles
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration. When it contracts,
it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and allowing air
to enter the lungs.
,Question 3
A nurse is reviewing the physiology of breathing. Which process describes the
movement of air into and out of the lungs?
A. Diffusion
B. Perfusion
C. Ventilation
D. Respiration
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the
lungs.
Question 4
Which process describes the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the
alveolar-capillary membrane?
A. Ventilation
B. Diffusion
C. Perfusion
D. Transportation
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of gases across the alveolar-capillary
membrane from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration.
Question 5
Which process describes the flow of blood through the pulmonary capillaries?
A. Ventilation
B. Diffusion
C. Perfusion
D. Transportation
,Rationale: Perfusion is the flow of blood through the pulmonary capillaries,
allowing gas exchange to occur.
Question 6
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which pH range is
considered normal?
A. 7.25–7.35
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.45–7.55
D. 7.20–7.30
Rationale: Normal arterial blood pH is 7.35–7.45.
Question 7
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which PaO2 range is
considered normal?
A. 40–60 mm Hg
B. 60–80 mm Hg
C. 80–100 mm Hg
D. 100–120 mm Hg
Rationale: Normal PaO2 is 80–100 mm Hg.
Question 8
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which PaCO2 range is
considered normal?
A. 25–35 mm Hg
B. 35–45 mm Hg
, C. 45–55 mm Hg
D. 55–65 mm Hg
Rationale: Normal PaCO2 is 35–45 mm Hg.
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which HCO3 range is
considered normal?
A. 12–18 mEq/L
B. 18–22 mEq/L
C. 22–26 mEq/L
D. 26–30 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal bicarbonate (HCO3) is 22–26 mEq/L.
Question 10
A nurse is reviewing the physiology of oxygen transport. What percentage of
oxygen is carried by hemoglobin?
A. 50%
B. 75%
C. 97%
D. 100%
Rationale: Approximately 97% of oxygen is carried by hemoglobin, while 3% is
dissolved in plasma.
Question 11
A nurse is reviewing the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. What does a rightward
shift indicate?
Test Questions & Detailed Rationales: Pulmonary
Disorders, Oxygenation, Ventilation, Gas Exchange &
Clinical Manifestations Review
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the anatomy of the respiratory system. Which structure is
responsible for gas exchange?
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Alveoli
D. Trachea
Rationale: The alveoli are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs. They are
tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries where oxygen and carbon dioxide are
exchanged.
Question 2
Which muscle is the primary muscle of respiration?
A. Intercostal muscles
B. Diaphragm
C. Abdominal muscles
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration. When it contracts,
it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and allowing air
to enter the lungs.
,Question 3
A nurse is reviewing the physiology of breathing. Which process describes the
movement of air into and out of the lungs?
A. Diffusion
B. Perfusion
C. Ventilation
D. Respiration
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the
lungs.
Question 4
Which process describes the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the
alveolar-capillary membrane?
A. Ventilation
B. Diffusion
C. Perfusion
D. Transportation
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of gases across the alveolar-capillary
membrane from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration.
Question 5
Which process describes the flow of blood through the pulmonary capillaries?
A. Ventilation
B. Diffusion
C. Perfusion
D. Transportation
,Rationale: Perfusion is the flow of blood through the pulmonary capillaries,
allowing gas exchange to occur.
Question 6
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which pH range is
considered normal?
A. 7.25–7.35
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.45–7.55
D. 7.20–7.30
Rationale: Normal arterial blood pH is 7.35–7.45.
Question 7
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which PaO2 range is
considered normal?
A. 40–60 mm Hg
B. 60–80 mm Hg
C. 80–100 mm Hg
D. 100–120 mm Hg
Rationale: Normal PaO2 is 80–100 mm Hg.
Question 8
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which PaCO2 range is
considered normal?
A. 25–35 mm Hg
B. 35–45 mm Hg
, C. 45–55 mm Hg
D. 55–65 mm Hg
Rationale: Normal PaCO2 is 35–45 mm Hg.
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing normal arterial blood gas values. Which HCO3 range is
considered normal?
A. 12–18 mEq/L
B. 18–22 mEq/L
C. 22–26 mEq/L
D. 26–30 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal bicarbonate (HCO3) is 22–26 mEq/L.
Question 10
A nurse is reviewing the physiology of oxygen transport. What percentage of
oxygen is carried by hemoglobin?
A. 50%
B. 75%
C. 97%
D. 100%
Rationale: Approximately 97% of oxygen is carried by hemoglobin, while 3% is
dissolved in plasma.
Question 11
A nurse is reviewing the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. What does a rightward
shift indicate?
