The nurse is completing a patient's health history with regard to potential risk factors for lung disease. What interview question addresses the most significant risk factor for respiratory diseases?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Do you currently smoke, or have you ever smoked?" Smoking is the most significant risk factor for respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema. Asking about smoking history is crucial in assessing lung disease risk. Rationale: 1. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. 2. Smoking damages the lungs and increases the risk of developing various respiratory conditions. 3. Current and past smoking status helps determine the level of risk for lung disease. 4. Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that can lead to lung damage over time. Summary: A: Occupational exposure is a risk factor, but smoking has a stronger association with respiratory diseases. B: Family history is relevant but not as directly linked to individual behavior and risk as smoking. D: Air pollution can contribute to lung issues, but personal smoking history has a more direct impact on lung health.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: bound to hemoglobin. This is because hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. Oxygen binds to the iron atoms in hemoglobin, forming oxyhemoglobin. This accounts for the majority of oxygen transport in the blood. A: Dissolved in plasma is incorrect as only a small fraction of oxygen is carried this way. C: In ionic form as a solute in plasma is incorrect as oxygen is not typically found in ionic form in the blood. D: Bound to the same protein as carbon dioxide is incorrect as oxygen binds to hemoglobin, while carbon dioxide primarily binds to different proteins such as carbonic anhydrase.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: changes in PCO2. Chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies detect levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in the blood. Blocking afferent action potentials from these chemoreceptors would specifically interfere with detecting changes in PCO2, as these receptors primarily respond to alterations in CO2 levels. This interference would disrupt the brain's ability to regulate breathing in response to changes in PCO2, leading to potential respiratory problems. Choices A and C are incorrect because chemoreceptors primarily respond to CO2 levels, not O2 or pH. Choice D is incorrect because changes in blood pressure are primarily detected by baroreceptors, not chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: alveoli. The alveoli are not part of the bronchial tree; they are the tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchial tree where gas exchange occurs. The bronchial tree consists of the bronchi, terminal bronchioles, and respiratory bronchioles, which are responsible for conducting air into the lungs. Alveoli are located at the end of the respiratory bronchioles and are where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released. Therefore, alveoli are not considered part of the bronchial tree.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trachea. Carina is the point where the trachea is divided into the left and right primary bronchi. This anatomical landmark is located at the lower end of the trachea where it bifurcates into the bronchi. The other choices, B: bronchi and C: larynx, are incorrect because the trachea is the structure that is divided at the carina, not the bronchi or larynx. Choice D: none of them is also incorrect because the trachea is indeed divided at the carina. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it accurately describes the anatomical location where the trachea divides.