ATI LPN
Exam Questions on Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following describes a correct order of structures in the respiratory passageways?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct respiratory passageway order is pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles. Air enters via nose/mouth to the pharynx (throat), passes the larynx (voice box), enters the trachea (windpipe), splits into bronchi (lung branches), then bronchioles (smaller airways) before alveoli. Other sequences misorder: trachea before larynx (C) or bronchioles before bronchi (B) defy anatomy; pharynx-to-trachea skips larynx (A). This flow pharynx to larynx to trachea to bronchi to bronchioles conditions air and directs it for gas exchange, a foundational pathway in respiratory anatomy, critical for airway management and pathology localization.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse instructs a client to use the pursed lip method of breathing. 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:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing's primary purpose is to promote carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) elimination (D) in obstructive lung diseases like COPD. By pursing lips, exhalation slows, increasing airway pressure to keep alveoli open longer, expelling trapped COâ‚‚ countering hypercapnia from air trapping. It doesn't directly boost oxygen intake (A) that's secondary to better ventilation. It aids diaphragm effort but doesn't strengthen it (B) or intercostals (C) those are exercise goals. This technique, prolonging expiration, relieves dyspnea, a critical self-management tool in COPD nursing education, enhancing gas exchange and reducing respiratory distress.
Question 3 of 5
A 48-year-old man has gradually increasing dyspnea and 4-kg weight loss over the past 2 years. He has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 20 years, but not for the past year. Physical examination shows an increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the chest. Auscultation of the chest shows decreased breath sounds. A chest radiograph shows bilateral hyperlucent lungs; the lucency is especially marked in the upper lobes. Pulmonary function tests show that FEV1 is markedly decreased, FVC is normal, and the FEV1/FVC ratio is decreased. Which of the following is most likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of his disease?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Release of elastase from neutrophils (D) drives this smoker's centriacinar emphysema . Smoking (40 pack-years) recruits neutrophils, releasing elastase that degrades alveolar walls (300 million to 150 million), causing air trapping (FEV1/FVC <70%). Hyperlucency and barrel chest reflect loss of elastic recoil . Chloride transport (A) is cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, not emphysema. Ciliary defects (B) cause bronchiectasis in Kartagener's. AAT deficiency (C) yields panacinar emphysema, less common, not upper-lobe dominant. D's unchecked elastase smoking boosts it 10-fold contrasts A's mucus issue or C's genetic rarity, per pathology texts.
Question 4 of 5
A 33-year-old man has had increasing dyspnea for the past 8 years. He does not smoke. On examination, there are decreased breath sounds over lower lung fields. A chest radiograph shows flattened diaphragms; his CT scan is shown in the figure. Pulmonary function tests show decreased DLCO, decreased FEV1, and increased FVC. Arterial blood gas analysis shows Po2, 65 mm Hg; Pco2, 60 mm Hg; HCO3-, 32 mEq/L; and pH, 7.35. A sibling is similarly affected. What is the most likely mechanism for his pulmonary disease?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reduced antielastase activity (D) from AAT deficiency causes panacinar emphysema . Nonsmoker, familial pattern (PiZZ genotype), and lower-lobe damage drop DLCO and FEV1. Atopy (A) is asthma. CFTR (B) yields bronchiectasis. Neutrophils (C) fit smoking. D's elastase excess 50% alveolar loss contrasts A's reversibility, per document.
Question 5 of 5
a 76 year old man came with dry cough and wheezing, he's been taking aspirin for 4 months as a prophylactic treatment. Which of the following is the most probable diagnosis for him?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.