Respiratory System — 150 High-Yield Questions & Answers (Nursing Study Guide)

Created by Nursing Student | For Nursing Students




Res pirato ry System
✨ 1 5 0 E S S E N T I A L Q & A F O R
E X A M S + C L I N I CA L S ✨
T H E U LT I M AT E R E S P I R ATO RY S Y ST E M G U I D E


150 Must-Know Questions & Answers
A Complete Review of:
• Gas Exchange
• COPD & Asthma
• Pneumonia & TB
• ABGs
• Lung Sounds
• Airway Management
• Respiratory Emergencies




15O HIGH YIELD QUESTIONS
⭐ Q 1 : W H AT I S V E N T I L AT I O N ?
A : M E C H A N I CA L M OV E M E N T O F A I R I N TO A N D O U T O F T H E L U N G S .

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─Sit─upright,
─ ─ ─ ─adjust
─ ─ your
─ ─ chair,
──────────────
⭐ Q 2 : W H A TandI Stake
P Eshort
R F U breaks
S I O N to
?
A : B LO O D F LOW T H R O U G H T H E P U L M O N A RY CA P I L L A R I E S F O R GAS
E X C H A N G E . prevent back strain.

──────────────────────────────
⭐ Q3: WHAT IS DIFFUSION?
A : M OV E M E N T O F GAS E S ( O₂ & C O₂ ) AC R O S S T H E A LV E O L A R - CA P I L L A RY
M E M B R A N E .

──────────────────────────────
💡 Q 4 : W H A T REPORT
S T R U C TUNSAFE
U R E S M A K E U P T H E U P P E R R E S P I R ATO RY T R AC T ?
A :
CONDITIONS
N O S E , N ASA L CAV I T Y, S I N U S E S , P H A RY N X , A N D L A RY N X .

──────────────────────────────
💡 Q 5 : W H AT ST R U C T U R E S M A K E U P T H E LOW E R R E S P I R ATO RY T R AC T ?
A : T R AC H E A , B R O N C H I , B R O N C H I O L E S , A LV E O L A R D U C TS , A LV E O L I .

, ⭐ Q6: What is the main function of the respiratory system?
A: Gas exchange — supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.
──────────────────────────────
❗ Q7: What controls breathing?
A: The medulla and pons (brainstem).
──────────────────────────────
💡 Q8: What is the diaphragm’s role in breathing?
A: Primary muscle of inspiration; contracts downward to allow lung expansion.
──────────────────────────────
⭐ Q9: What is airway resistance?
A: The opposition to airflow; increased by bronchoconstriction.
──────────────────────────────
❗ Q10: What is compliance?
A: The elasticity of the lungs — ease of expansion.
──────────────────────────────
💡 Q11: What decreases lung compliance?
A: ARDS, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, fibrosis.
──────────────────────────────
⭐ Q12: What increases airway resistance?
A: Asthma, bronchospasm, secretions, mucous plugging.
──────────────────────────────
💡 Q13: What is tidal volume (VT)?
A: Amount of air inhaled or exhaled per breath.
──────────────────────────────
⭐ Q14: What is dead space?
A: Areas where gas exchange does NOT occur (trachea, bronchi).
──────────────────────────────
❗ Q15: What is shunting?
A: Perfusion without ventilation — e.g., pneumonia, atelectasis.
──────────────────────────────
⭐ Q16: What is V/Q mismatch?
A: Abnormal ratio of ventilation to perfusion — common cause of hypoxemia.
──────────────────────────────
💡 Q17: What causes hypoxemia?
A: V/Q mismatch, diffusion defects, hypoventilation, shunting.
──────────────────────────────
❗ Q18: What causes hypercapnia?
A: Hypoventilation; CO₂ retention (COPD, overdose, neuromuscular disease).
──────────────────────────────
⭐ Q19: What are early signs of hypoxia?
A: Restlessness, irritability, tachycardia, anxiety.
──────────────────────────────
❗ Q20: What are late signs of hypoxia?
A: Cyanosis, confusion, bradycardia, hypotension.
──────────────────────────────