3. Respiratory System

Question 1

Which of the following describes the conducting zone of the respiratory system?
a) Gas exchange occurs in this zone
b) Contains alveoli
c) Provides a low-resistance pathway for airflow
d) Lacks cartilage

Answer 1

c) Provides a low-resistance pathway for airflow

Question 2

What is the surface area of the alveoli in the lungs?
a) 10 square meters
b) 50 square meters
c) 70 square meters
d) 100 square meters

Answer 2

c) 70 square meters

Question 3

What type of cells secrete mucus in the upper airways?
a) Ciliated epithelial cells
b) Goblet cells
c) Alveolar macrophages
d) Type II alveolar cells

Answer 3

b) Goblet cells

Question 4

What is the primary role of CO2 in the blood?
a) Control airway resistance
b) Regulate pH
c) Increase mucus viscosity
d) Initiate bronchoconstriction

Answer 4

b) Regulate pH

Question 5

Which of the following diseases is considered an obstructive respiratory disorder?
a) Sarcoidosis
b) Pneumonia
c) Emphysema
d) Pulmonary fibrosis

Answer 5

c) Emphysema

Question 6

What is the primary etiological factor in chronic bronchitis?
a) Viral infection
b) Cigarette smoke and other inhaled irritants
c) Genetic predisposition
d) Occupational exposure to asbestos

Answer 6

b) Cigarette smoke and other inhaled irritants

Question 7

What structural change occurs in emphysema?
a) Hyperplasia of smooth muscle
b) Alveolar destruction and enlargement
c) Increased cilia production
d) Thickened basement membrane

Answer 7

b) Alveolar destruction and enlargement

Question 8

What is a common consequence of COPD?
a) Increased production of surfactant
b) Cor pulmonale
c) Hyperresponsiveness of the immune system

Answer 8

b) Cor pulmonale

Question 9

Which therapy is NOT commonly used for COPD?
a) Oxygen therapy
b) Anticholinergics
c) Antiviral medications
d) Beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists

Answer 9

c) Antiviral medications

Question 10

What is the function of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin in the lungs?
a) Promote the synthesis of elastin
b) Inactivate proteolytic enzymes like elastase
c) Stimulate mucus production
d) Enhance oxygen diffusion

Answer 10

b) Inactivate proteolytic enzymes like elastase

Question 11

What type of epithelium lines the upper airways?
a) Simple squamous epithelium
b) Stratified squamous epithelium
c) Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia
d) Transitional epithelium

Answer 11

c) Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia

Question 12

Which respiratory condition is characterized by a productive cough for at least three months over two consecutive years?
a) Emphysema
b) Chronic bronchitis
c) Asthma
d) Pneumonia

Answer 12

b) Chronic bronchitis

Question 13

What mechanism contributes to airflow obstruction in chronic bronchitis?
a) Loss of alveolar elasticity
b) Excessive secretion of mucus and inflammation
c) Hyperresponsiveness to allergens
d) Decrease in surfactant production

Answer 13

b) Excessive secretion of mucus and inflammation

Question 14

Which of the following describes a feature of restrictive lung disease?
a) Decreased airway diameter due to inflammation
b) Loss of lung elasticity
c) Impaired lung expansion
d) Excessive mucus production

Answer 14

c) Impaired lung expansion

Question 15

What is the main cause of hypoxaemia in patients with chronic bronchitis?
a) Hyperventilation
b) Airway obstruction by mucus plugs
c) Overproduction of surfactant
d) Increased pulmonary capillary surface area

Answer 15

b) Airway obstruction by mucus plugs

Question 16

Which factor leads to the destruction of alveolar walls in emphysema?
a) Excessive production of mucus
b) Oxidative stress and protease-antiprotease imbalance
c) Chronic bacterial infections
d) Overproduction of surfactant

Answer 16

b) Oxidative stress and protease-antiprotease imbalance

Question 17

Which lung disease is associated with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency?
a) Chronic bronchitis
b) Asthma
c) Panlobular emphysema
d) Legionnaires’ disease

Answer 17

c) Panlobular emphysema

Question 18

What physiological change occurs due to chronic hypoxia in COPD?
a) Alveolar hyperplasia
b) Pulmonary vasoconstriction
c) Increased surfactant production
d) Reduced blood viscosity

Answer 18

b) Pulmonary vasoconstriction

Question 19

What therapy is specifically aimed at breaking down mucus in COPD patients?
a) Corticosteroids
b) Bronchodilators
c) Mucolytics
d) Anticholinergics

Answer 19

c) Mucolytics

Question 20

How does cigarette smoke contribute to chronic bronchitis?
a) Reduces elastase activity in the lungs
b) Induces inflammation and increases mucus production
c) Stimulates alveolar growth
d) Enhances ciliary function

Answer 20

b) Induces inflammation and increases mucus production

Question 21

What is a hallmark feature of emphysema visible on imaging or post-mortem specimens?
a) Thickened airway walls
b) “Billowy,” over-expanded lungs
c) Nodular lung growths
d) Excessive cilia

Answer 21

b) “Billowy” over-expanded lungs

Question 22

Which of the following is a primary trigger for asthma?
a) Airway remodeling
b) Loss of radial traction
c) Bronchoconstriction in response to allergens
d) Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency

Answer 22

c) Bronchoconstriction in response to allergens

Question 23

Which part of the respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange?
a) Conducting airways
b) Bronchioles
c) Alveoli
d) Trachea

Answer 23

c) Alveoli

Question 24

What effect does decreased CO2 have on the airways?
a) Bronchodilation
b) Bronchoconstriction
c) Increased mucus secretion
d) Decreased ciliary action

Answer 24

b) Bronchoconstriction

Question 25

What distinguishes centrilobular emphysema from panlobular emphysema?
a) Centrilobular emphysema affects entire lobules, while panlobular spares alveoli
b) Panlobular emphysema is associated with cigarette smoking
c) Centrilobular emphysema primarily affects respiratory bronchioles
d) Panlobular emphysema is caused by occupational exposure to asbestos

Answer 25

c) Centrilobular emphysema primarily affects respiratory bronchioles

Question 26

What mechanism primarily leads to air trapping in obstructive lung diseases?
a) Loss of alveolar surface area
b) Bronchial collapse during expiration
c) Overproduction of surfactant
d) Impaired oxygen diffusion

Answer 26

b) Bronchial collapse during expiration

Question 27

What are the primary long-term complications of chronic bronchitis?
a) Alveolar fibrosis and cor pulmonale
b) Pulmonary hypertension and polycythemia
c) Bronchial hyperplasia and pneumothorax
d) Lung cancer and pleurisy

Answer 27

b) Pulmonary hypertension and polycythemia

Question 28

How does cigarette smoke directly damage lung tissue?
a) Reduces mucus viscosity
b) Increases proteolytic enzyme activity
c) Stimulates surfactant overproduction
d) Prevents T-cell activation

Answer 28

b) Increases proteolytic enzyme activity

Question 29

Which environmental factor is linked to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema?
a) Occupational dust exposure
b) Long-term exposure to radon gas
c) Biomass fuel use
d) Airborne viral infections

Answer 29

c) Biomass fuel use

Question 30

In obstructive lung diseases, which factor does NOT contribute to airflow obstruction?
a) Loss of radial traction
b) Airway remodeling
c) Reduced ciliary function
d) Increased surfactant production

Answer 30

d) Increased surfactant production

Question 31

Which imaging finding is typical for a patient with emphysema?
a) Collapsed lung lobes
b) Hyperinflation and reduced vascular markings
c) Dense consolidation in lung fields
d) Thickened pleural layers

Answer 31

b) Hyperinflation and reduced vascular markings

Question 32

What distinguishes obstructive lung disease from restrictive lung disease?
a) Obstructive diseases reduce airway resistance, while restrictive diseases increase it
b) Obstructive diseases limit airflow, while restrictive diseases impair lung expansion
c) Obstructive diseases impair oxygen diffusion, while restrictive diseases impair CO2 diffusion
d) Obstructive diseases decrease tidal volume, while restrictive diseases increase it

Answer 32

Obstructive diseases limit airflow, while restrictive diseases impair lung expansion