Week 4 Respiratory

Question 1

Describe the structures and functions of the respiratory system.

Answer 1

The respiratory system includes structures such as the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, which work together to facilitate gas exchange, allowing oxygen to enter the body and carbon dioxide to be expelled.

Question 2

Explain the physiology of respiration and the tests used to measure oxygenation.

Answer 2

Respiration involves the process of inhalation and exhalation, where oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released. Tests to measure oxygenation include pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas analysis.

Question 3

Describe the control of respiration.

Answer 3

Respiration is controlled by the brainstem, which regulates the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s carbon dioxide levels and oxygen needs.

Question 4

What are the respiratory defense mechanisms?

Answer 4

Respiratory defense mechanisms include mucociliary clearance, coughing, and the immune response, which help protect the lungs from pathogens and irritants.

Question 5

Discuss the changes in the respiratory system related to age.

Answer 5

As individuals age, the respiratory system may experience decreased lung elasticity, reduced strength of respiratory muscles, and diminished gas exchange efficiency.

Question 6

Describe the assessment methods for the respiratory system.

Answer 6

Assessment of the respiratory system includes both objective methods, such as auscultation and imaging studies, and subjective methods, such as patient history and symptom reporting.

Question 7

Explain the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Answer 7

COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to airflow limitation and difficulty in breathing due to conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Question 8

Describe the conventional treatment for COPD.

Answer 8

Conventional treatment for COPD includes bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Question 9

Explain the difference between ventilation and oxygenation in the respiratory system.

Answer 9

Ventilation refers to the process of air moving in and out of the lungs, while oxygenation is the process of oxygen being absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide being expelled.

Question 10

How does inhalation occur in the respiratory system?

Answer 10

Inhalation occurs when the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating a negative pressure in the thoracic cavity that draws air into the lungs.

Question 11

What happens during exhalation in the respiratory process?

Answer 11

Exhalation occurs when the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, increasing pressure in the thoracic cavity and pushing air out of the lungs.

Question 12

Define diffusion in the context of respiration.

Answer 12

Diffusion in respiration refers to the movement of oxygen from the alveoli into the blood in the capillaries and the movement of carbon dioxide from the blood into the alveoli.

Question 13

How do the capillary and alveoli sides interact during respiration?

Answer 13

The capillary side allows for the exchange of gases, where oxygen enters the blood from the alveoli and carbon dioxide exits the blood into the alveoli for exhalation.

Question 14

Describe the role of chemoreceptors in the respiratory system.

Answer 14

Chemoreceptors respond to changes in the chemical composition of the fluid around them, helping to regulate respiration.

Question 15

Identify the locations of mechanoreceptors in the respiratory system.

Answer 15

Mechanoreceptors are located in the lungs, upper airway, chest wall, and diaphragm.

Question 16

Explain the function of the cough reflex in respiratory defense mechanisms.

Answer 16

The cough reflex serves as the first line of defense by expelling irritants and clearing the airways.

Question 17

How do nasal hairs contribute to respiratory defense mechanisms?

Answer 17

Nasal hairs filter the air, trapping larger particles and preventing them from entering the lungs.

Question 18

What is the role of bronchoconstriction in lung protection?

Answer 18

Bronchoconstriction narrows the airways, reducing airflow and helping to protect the lungs from harmful substances.

Question 19

Describe the function of alveolar macrophages in the respiratory system.

Answer 19

Alveolar macrophages protect the lungs by engulfing and digesting microorganisms and particles that reach the alveoli.

Question 20

How do the defense mechanisms of the respiratory system protect against pollutants?

Answer 20

Defense mechanisms like filtration, mucociliary clearance, cough reflex, bronchoconstriction, and alveolar macrophages work together to protect the lungs from microorganisms, inhaled particles, allergens, and pollutants.

Question 21

What is the significance of ciliary function in the respiratory system?

Answer 21

Ciliary function is important for clearing mucus and debris from the airways, helping to maintain respiratory health.

Question 22

Describe the response of the respiratory system to hypoxemia and hypercapnia.

Answer 22

The respiratory system responds to hypoxemia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide) by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to restore normal gas exchange.

Question 23

What is the role of forcefulness of cough in respiratory health?

Answer 23

The forcefulness of cough is important for clearing secretions and preventing infections in the respiratory tract.

Question 24

Describe the types of adventitious lung sounds that can be auscultated.

Answer 24

Crackles, wheezing, and stridor are types of adventitious lung sounds that can be auscultated.

Question 25

How is the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve significant in respiratory diagnostics?

Answer 25

The oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve illustrates how readily hemoglobin acquires and releases oxygen, which is crucial for understanding respiratory function.

Question 26

Define stridor and its clinical significance.

Answer 26

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow, often indicating an upper airway obstruction.

Question 27

What is the role of hemoglobin in the respiratory system?

Answer 27

Hemoglobin’s role in the respiratory system is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and facilitate the return of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.

Question 28

Define the purpose of sputum studies in respiratory diagnostics.

Answer 28

Sputum studies aim to identify pathogens and assess lung conditions through Culture & Sensitivity, Gram Stain, Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) testing, and Cytology.

Question 29

List the types of sputum studies conducted for respiratory diagnostics.

Answer 29

The types of sputum studies include Culture & Sensitivity, Gram Stain, Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB), and Cytology.

Question 30

Explain the role of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis in respiratory diagnostics.

Answer 30

ABG analysis measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, providing insight into lung function and gas exchange efficiency.

Question 31

Identify the components of blood studies relevant to respiratory diagnostics.

Answer 31

The components of blood studies relevant to respiratory diagnostics are Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Hct), and Arterial blood gas (ABG).

Question 32

What is the importance of tracking disease progression in respiratory conditions?

Answer 32

Tracking disease progression helps in adjusting treatment plans, evaluating the effectiveness of medications, and improving patient outcomes.

Question 33

Identify the factor that causes air to enter the thoracic cavity during inspiration.

Answer 33

Air enters the thoracic cavity due to decreased intrathoracic pressure relative to pressure at the airway.

Question 34

Explain how the contraction of respiratory muscles affects breathing.

Answer 34

The contraction of respiratory muscles, stimulated by chemoreceptors, facilitates the inhalation process by creating a negative pressure in the thoracic cavity.

Question 35

Define the importance of maintaining proper surfactant levels in the lungs.

Answer 35

Proper surfactant levels are crucial for reducing surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse, and ensuring effective gas exchange.

Question 36

How does increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygen in the blood influence respiration?

Answer 36

Increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygen levels stimulate the respiratory muscles through chemoreceptors, prompting the body to increase breathing rate.

Question 37

What is the effect of smooth muscle relaxation in the respiratory system?

Answer 37

Smooth muscle relaxation in the airways allows for easier airflow and improved ventilation during breathing.

Question 38

Describe the most important respiratory defense mechanism distal to the respiratory bronchioles.

Answer 38

The most important respiratory defense mechanism distal to the respiratory bronchioles is the alveolar macrophage.

Question 39

Explain the purpose of thoracentesis.

Answer 39

The purpose of thoracentesis is to remove pleural fluid for analysis.

Question 40

What is the role of alveolar macrophages in the respiratory system?

Answer 40

Alveolar macrophages play a crucial role in the respiratory system by acting as a defense mechanism to engulf and digest pathogens and particles in the alveoli.