What is the importance of carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Carbonic anhydrase is crucial for converting carbon dioxide to bicarbonate in red blood cells, facilitating oxygen transport. This enzyme plays a key role in maintaining the blood's acid-base balance and allowing efficient exchange of gases in the lungs. The other choices are incorrect because hemoglobin synthesis is not directly related to carbonic anhydrase, blood pressure regulation involves different mechanisms, and blood glucose levels are primarily controlled by insulin and glucagon, not carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Respiratory acidosis. In COPD, the client has impaired gas exchange leading to retention of carbon dioxide, causing respiratory acidosis. This imbalance occurs due to decreased ability to exhale carbon dioxide effectively. Respiratory alkalosis (B) is unlikely as COPD results in CO2 retention. Metabolic acidosis (C) would involve non-respiratory causes. Metabolic alkalosis (D) is not typically associated with COPD. Thus, A is the most likely acid-base imbalance in COPD.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for Choice C: Decreased pCO2 in alveolar gas causes an increase in airway resistance: 1. pCO2 levels in alveolar gas directly affect bronchial smooth muscle tone. 2. Low pCO2 causes bronchodilation, leading to reduced airway resistance. 3. High pCO2 causes bronchoconstriction, increasing airway resistance. 4. This relationship is crucial in maintaining optimal ventilation-perfusion matching. Summary for Other Choices: A. Incorrect - Poiseuille's equation is for laminar flow, not turbulent flow, and describes the relationship between pressure, flow rate, and radius. B. Incorrect - The major site of resistance is in medium-sized bronchi, not very small bronchioles. D. Incorrect - As lung volume reduces, airway resistance actually increases due to decreased radial traction.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a right pneumothorax, there is a loss of breath sounds on auscultation due to air in the pleural space preventing lung expansion and sound transmission. This absence of breath sounds is a classic finding in pneumothorax. A: Bilateral inspiratory and expiratory crackles are indicative of conditions like pneumonia or pulmonary fibrosis, not pneumothorax. C: Inspiratory wheezes suggest conditions like asthma or bronchitis, not pneumothorax. D: Bilateral pleural friction rub is typically heard in conditions like pleurisy or pleural effusion, not pneumothorax.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bronchospasm. Bronchospasm is a serious complication after a bronchoscopy that can lead to respiratory distress. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent further complications. A dry cough (A) may be expected post-procedure. Hematuria (B) is unrelated to a bronchoscopy. Blood-streaked sputum (D) is common after a biopsy and may not require immediate attention unless it becomes excessive. Reporting bronchospasm promptly is crucial in preventing respiratory compromise.