A nurse instructs a female client to use the pursed-lip method of breathing and the client asks the nurse about the purpose of this type of breathing. The nurse responds, knowing that the primary purpose of pursed-lip breathing is to:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Promote carbon dioxide elimination. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique used to slow down breathing and help control shortness of breath. By exhaling through pursed lips, it creates back-pressure in the airways, allowing more time for the lungs to empty and facilitating better removal of carbon dioxide. This helps improve oxygenation by optimizing the gas exchange process. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because pursed-lip breathing primarily focuses on improving ventilation and gas exchange, not specifically on increasing oxygen intake or strengthening specific respiratory muscles.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Normal ABGs. In emphysema, the destruction of alveoli leads to impaired gas exchange, causing respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia. However, "Pink Puffers" maintain normal or slightly low CO2 levels (normal ABGs) due to persistent hyperventilation. This compensatory mechanism helps them maintain adequate oxygen levels despite damaged alveoli. Dyspnea (choice A) and barrel chest (choice B) are common in emphysema but do not specifically contribute to the "Pink Puffer" label. Thin body (choice C) is associated with another type of COPD, chronic bronchitis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: larynx. When you swallow, the epiglottis covers the opening to the larynx to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway and instead directs it towards the esophagus. The epiglottis acts as a protective mechanism to ensure that food goes down the correct pathway. Choices A (pharynx), B (esophagus), and D (bronchus) are incorrect because the epiglottis does not directly cover the opening to these structures during swallowing. The epiglottis specifically functions to protect the larynx and the airway during the swallowing process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because oxygen moves from alveoli to the bloodstream by simple diffusion. This is due to the concentration gradient of oxygen being higher in the alveoli (where oxygen is inhaled) compared to the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli. Oxygen molecules move from an area of high concentration (alveoli) to an area of low concentration (bloodstream) to reach equilibrium. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the movement of oxygen in this context is primarily driven by passive diffusion, not by the activity of carbonic anhydrase, carbaminohemoglobin, or active transport.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: as oxyhemoglobin. Oxygen is primarily carried in the blood by binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells to form oxyhemoglobin. This allows for efficient transport of oxygen to tissues. Choice A is incorrect because only a small amount of oxygen is dissolved in plasma. Choice C is incorrect as carboxyhemoglobin refers to carbon monoxide binding to hemoglobin, not oxygen. Choice D is incorrect as the majority of carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate, not oxygen.