ATI LPN
Exam Questions on Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
In which stage of pertussis is the characteristic whooping sound made?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pertussis, or whooping cough, progresses through stages. The catarrhal stage mimics a cold with runny nose and mild cough. The paroxysmal stage follows, featuring severe, uncontrollable coughing fits ending in a high-pitched 'whoop' as air is inhaled forcefully through a narrowed airway Bordetella pertussis's toxin damages cilia, causing this. Convalescence is recovery, with diminishing cough. Prodromal isn't a recognized stage here catarrhal serves as the early phase. The whooping sound in the paroxysmal stage, peaking 2-6 weeks after onset, is diagnostic, reflecting airway obstruction and mucus buildup, critical for identifying this vaccine-preventable disease and initiating supportive care and antibiotics.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for the parents of a young child recovering from pneumonia. Which information should the nurse provide to help prevent the reoccurrence of the disease?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complete all prescribed medications' (B) prevents pneumonia recurrence by eradicating pathogens (e.g., S. pneumoniae), per AAP guidelines. Reporting symptoms (A) is reactive, not preventive. Vaccinations (C) protect long-term but not immediate recurrence. Rest (D) aids recovery, not prevention. The document's answer (B) ensures antibiotic compliance unfinished courses (e.g., 5 vs. 10 days) risk resistant bacteria, distinguishing it from A's monitoring or C's future focus.
Question 3 of 5
In which part of the respiratory system does gaseous exchange take place?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gaseous exchange occurs in the alveoli, tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide exits, facilitated by their thin walls and vast surface area surrounded by capillaries. The pharynx conducts air but lacks exchange surfaces. The larynx manages airflow and sound, not diffusion. The trachea transports air to the lungs, lined with cilia and mucus for filtering, not gas exchange. Alveoli's unique structure thin, moist, and capillary-rich optimizes this process, driven by concentration gradients, making them the respiratory system's exchange hub. This distinction is vital for understanding respiration's purpose: delivering oxygen to tissues and removing waste, a cornerstone of pulmonary physiology and clinical respiratory care.
Question 4 of 5
Which one of the following is correct regarding larynx?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The larynx is multifunctional: it houses vocal cords for sound, its epiglottis prevents pathogens and food from entering the trachea during swallowing, and its cartilaginous structure (e.g., thyroid cartilage) connects the pharynx to the trachea, forming the airway's gateway. All statements are true. It filters air via mucus and reflexes like coughing, while its cartilage ensures patency. This triple role phonation, protection, conduction makes it a respiratory linchpin, vital in speech and airway defense, a comprehensive view essential for understanding laryngeal anatomy and clinical issues like laryngitis or choking.
Question 5 of 5
The apex of the heart is normally pointed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The heart's apex, its lower tip, points left of the midline, typically at the fifth intercostal space, reflecting its leftward tilt in the chest about two-thirds lie left of the sternum. Midline alignment is rare, as is rightward pointing (dextrocardia, a congenital anomaly). Gender doesn't alter this orientation is consistent. This leftward apex, formed by the left ventricle, aligns with the heart's pumping role, detectable in pulse checks, a key anatomical feature in physical exams and imaging, distinguishing normal from pathological positioning.