Review of Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System

1. Which statement is not true about the lungs?

• a. The right lung has three lobes and 10 lobules

• b. The intrapleural pressure can either be positive or negative depending upon the phase of respiration.

• c. The intrapleural pressure is always negative

• d. The covering of the lung is called the pleura

2. There are two phases of respiration. One of them is an inspiration. This is least described as:

• a. It is an active phase

• b. The intrapulmonary pressure is negative

• c. The intrapulmonary pressure is positive

• d. The diameter of the thoracic cavity is increased

3. Pulmonary surfactant is a substance that is responsible for:

• a. Maintaining a constant negative intrapleural pressure

• b. The non – collapse of the lungs

• c. Preventing the shifting of the mediastinum

• d. Promotion of the full expansion of the lungs

4. The right bronchus is shorter and wider, therefore:

• a. It is more difficult to breathe when placed at the right side

• b. It is more convenient to breathe when placed at the right side

• c. Foreign bodies are more likely to be trapped at the right bronchus

• d. Foreign bodies are more likely to be trapped at the left bronchus

5. Adventitious sounds include the following except:

• a. Vesicular sounds

• b. Pleural friction rub

• c. Crackles

• d. Wheezes

6. Wheezing sounds result from:

• a. passage of air through the narrowed airway

• b. Pleural inflammation

• c. Passing of air through a fluid-filled narrow passage

• d. Sudden opening of small airways that contains fluid

7. When assessing a patient suspected of atelectasis, the nurse would expect:

• a. Slow, deep respiration

• b. Diminished breath sounds

• c. Dry, non – productive cough

• d. Normal oral temperature

8. The order of sequence in chest examination would be:

• a. Palpation, inspection, percussion and palpation

• b. Percussion, auscultation, palpation and inspection

• c. Inspection, auscultation, palpation and percussion

• d. Inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation

9. Crackles result from:

• a. Air passing through fluid narrowed small airways

• b. Air passing through narrowed small airways

• c. Roughened pleural surfaces rubbing across each other

• d. None of the above

10. Vital capacity means:

• a. Volume of air inhaled or exhaled during each respiratory cycle

• b. volume of air contained in the lungs after maximal inspiration

• c. Volume of air that is measured during a maximal expiration after a maximal inspiration

• d. Largest volume of air that can be inhaled during quiet respiration