ATI RN
Questions of Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The organ of the respiratory system that is kept open by rings of cartilage is the:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: trachea. The trachea is kept open by rings of cartilage to prevent collapse during inhalation. The nose (A) is primarily involved in filtering, warming, and moistening air. The pharynx (B) is a common pathway for both air and food. The larynx (C) houses the vocal cords and aids in sound production but does not have cartilage rings to keep it open.
Question 2 of 5
A female client is undergoing a complete physical examination as a requirement for college. When checking the client's respiratory status, the nurse observes respiratory excursion to help assess:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Chest movements. When checking respiratory status, observing chest movements, known as respiratory excursion, helps assess the depth and symmetry of breathing. This provides valuable information about lung expansion and function. Lung vibrations (A) are assessed by tactile fremitus, vocal sounds (B) by auscultating for voice sounds, and breath sounds (C) by listening for air movement in the lungs. However, these do not directly assess respiratory excursion.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with a history of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day for the past 20 years says that he is not alarmed by his cough. He says, "I get this cough and spit up mucus every winter." The nurse recognizes these symptoms as being suggestive of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chronic bronchitis. The patient's history of smoking for 20 years and persistent cough with mucus production every winter are indicative of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes due to irritants like smoking, leading to excessive mucus production and persistent cough. Emphysema is characterized by destruction of lung tissue, not necessarily accompanied by mucus production. Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs, not specifically related to the symptoms described. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis involves scarring of lung tissue, typically presenting with a dry, non-productive cough.
Question 4 of 5
What is the name given to the respiratory ailment in which the bronchioles constrict severely?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: asthma. Asthma is a respiratory ailment characterized by severe constriction of the bronchioles due to inflammation and muscle contraction. This leads to difficulty breathing and wheezing. Pleurisy (A) is inflammation of the lining of the lungs, emphysema (B) is a long-term lung disease, and bronchitis (C) is inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Asthma specifically refers to the bronchioles constriction, making it the correct choice.
Question 5 of 5
Most of the carbon dioxide produced by the body is transported to the lungs in
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: bicarbonate ions. When carbon dioxide is produced by the body, it combines with water in the blood to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid then dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. The majority of the carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as bicarbonate ions, which are more soluble and can easily travel to the lungs where they are converted back into carbon dioxide for exhalation. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because carbon dioxide is primarily transported in the form of bicarbonate ions, not as a gas, in blood plasma, or as potassium carbonate ions.