Module 6: Respiratory System

Question 1

What are the two main function of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Transport of oxygen from Air to blood - Oxygen is necessary for cellular metabolism
Removal of carbon dioxide from the blood – carbon dioxide is a waste product from metabolism

Question 2

The upper respiratory tract is made up of the passage ways that…

Answer 2

Conduct air between the atmosphere and the lungs

Question 3

The lower respiratory tract consist of______and is where what takes place?

Answer 3

Trachea, bronchial tree, and the lungs, where gas exchange takes place

Question 4

What is the role of the oropharynx

Answer 4

Common passage for air and food

Epiglottis protects opening into larynx (closes over glottis at swallowing to prevent aspiration)

Question 5

The larynx consist of?

Answer 5

Two pairs of vocal cords

Question 6

The trachea is lined by? And what is the function of the C-shaped rings of cartilage?

Answer 6

Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium

The cartilage rings prevent the collapse of the trachea and keep the airway open even with pressure changes

Question 7

At the lower end of the trachea, inhaled air proceeds into the right or left primary bronchus. Where is the more likely designation for any aspired material and why?

Answer 7

The right bronchitis because it is larger and straighter

Question 8

Airflow depends on pressure gradient (Boyle’s law). Air always moves from

Answer 8

High-pressure area to low pressure area

Question 9

What is the place which promotes the diffusion of gases into the blood, the endpoint for inspired air?

Answer 9

The Alveoli

Question 10

The respiratory membrane is the combined alveolar and capillary wall through which what occurs?

Answer 10

Gas exchange

Question 11

What is tidal volume? Residual volume? Vital capacity?

Answer 11

Tidal volume - Amount of air exchange with quiet inspiration and expiration
Residual volume - volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximum respiration
Vital capacity - Maximal amount of air that can be moved in and out of the lungs with a single forced inspiration and expiration

Question 12

Bronchodilation results when

Answer 12

Sympathetic stimulation relaxes the smooth muscle, dilating or enlarging the bronchioles

Question 13

Each lung is covered by its own double walled sac, the pleural membrane. The _______ pleura is attached to the outer surface of the lungs and then doubles back to form the ________ Which lines the inside of the thoracic cavity

Answer 13

Visceral, parietal pleura

Question 14

Chemoreceptors detect changes in

Answer 14

Carbon dioxide level, hydrogen ion, and oxygen levels in blood or cerebrospinal fluid

Question 15

The primary control centres for Braden are located in

Answer 15

The medulla and the pons

Question 16

What is hypercapnia?

Answer 16

Abnormally elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

- lowers pH and stimulates respiratory center, increases rate and depth of respirations, causes respiratory acidosis

Question 17

What is hypoxemia?

Answer 17

Marked decrease in oxygen
- chemoreceptors respond to. This control mechanism can be important when individuals with chronic lung disease adapt to a sustained elevation in PCO2 and move to a hypoxia Drive

Question 18

What is hypocapnia?

Answer 18

Caused by low carbon dioxide concentration (low partial pressure of carbon dioxide in blood)
- Maybe caused by hyperventilation, causes respiratory alkalosis

Question 19

Binding and release of oxygen to hemoglobin depend on what?

Answer 19

PO2, PCO2, Temperature, plasma pH

Question 20

Spirometry - pulmonary function test (PFT) tests what?

Answer 20

Test pulmonary volumes and airflow times

Question 21

Arterial blood gas determination checks what?

Answer 21

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, serum pH

Question 22

Oximetry measures

Answer 22

O2 saturation

Question 23

Exercise tolerance testing is for patients with what disease?

Answer 23

Chronic pulmonary disease

Question 24

Bronchoscopy Is a diagnostic test for what

Answer 24

Perform biopsy

Check site of lesion or bleeding

Question 25

Yellowish-green, cloudy, thick mucus often indicates what?

Answer 25

Bacterial infection

Question 26

Rusty or dark coloured sputum is usually a sign of

Answer 26

Pneumococcal pneumonia

Question 27

Very large amounts of purulent sputum with foul odour may be associated with

Answer 27

Bronchiectasis

Question 28

Thick, tenacious mucus is usually a sign

Answer 28

Asthma or cystic fibrosis

Question 29

Blood-tinged sputum may result from

Answer 29

Chronic cough, may also be a sign of tumour or tuberculosis

Question 30

What hemoptysis sputum look like and what is it usually associated with?

Answer 30

Blood-tinged (bright red) frothy sputum, usually associated with pulmonary edema

Question 31

What is Eupnea respiration like ?

Answer 31

Normal – rhythm is smooth and even with expiration longer than inspiration

Question 32

What is Kussmaul’s respiration’s like?

Answer 32

Deep rapid respirations – typical for acidosis; may follow strenuous exercise

Question 33

Laboured respiration or prolonged inspiration or expiration is often associated with

Answer 33

Obstruction of airways

Question 34

Wheezing or whistling sounds indicate

Answer 34

Obstruction in small airways

Question 35

Stridor is a high pitch crowing noise and usually indicates

Answer 35

Airway obstruction

Question 36

Rales and rhonchi are abnormal sounds resulting from air mixing with excessive secretions in the lungs. Explain what both of them sound like and result from

Answer 36

Rales - Like bubbly or crackling sounds, with serous secretions
Rhonchi - Deeper or harsher sounds, from thicker mucus

Question 37

What is dyspnea?

Answer 37

Subjective feeling of discomfort

• Maybe caused by increased carbon dioxide or hypoxemia
• often noted on exertion, such as climbing stairs

Question 38

What is orthopnea? What is it usually caused by?

Answer 38

Dyspnea That occurs when a person is lying down. Usually caused by pulmonary congestion

Question 39

What is Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea ?

Answer 39

An acute type of dyspnea, common in patients with left-sided congestive heart failure

Question 40

Pleural pain results from

Answer 40

Inflammation or infection of parietal pleura

Question 41

Clubbed digits result from______associated with

Answer 41

Hypoxia, Associated with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases

Question 42

The common cold (infectious rhinitis) is caused by a

Answer 42

Viral infection of the upper respiratory tract

Question 43

Sinusitis is usually what type of infection? How is it treated?

Answer 43

Decongestants and analgesics for headache and pain

Course of antibiotics often required to eradicate infection

Question 44

Laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) Is a common viral infection, particularly in children. What are the common causative organisms?

Answer 44

Parainfluenza and adenoviruses

Infection usually self-limited

Question 45

What is the role of systemic circulation?

Answer 45

Brings oxygenated blood to the tissues and brings deoxygenated blood back to the right side of the heart

Question 46

What does pulmonary circulation do

Answer 46

Transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs and brings oxygenated blood back to the left side of the heart

Question 47

What is a pleural effusion?

Answer 47

The build up of excessive fluid in the pleural space