ATI RN
Practice Questions for Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which type of acid-base imbalance can result from the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase leads to decreased bicarbonate levels, causing metabolic alkalosis. Without adequate bicarbonate, the body accumulates excess base, resulting in alkalosis. Metabolic acidosis (A) is incorrect because inhibition of carbonic anhydrase would lead to excess base, not acid. Respiratory acidosis (B) and respiratory alkalosis (D) are incorrect as they are caused by respiratory, not metabolic, disturbances.
Question 2 of 5
Which statement is false about anatomical dead space?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because Bohr's method measures physiological dead space, not anatomical dead space. Anatomical dead space is constant and not affected by N2 concentration. A: Anatomical dead space does vary with age due to changes in lung dimensions. B: Fowlers method estimates anatomical dead space by measuring tidal volume and respiratory rate. C: Anatomical dead space is not significantly large in shallow breathing as it mainly involves the conducting airways, not the alveoli.
Question 3 of 5
At high altitudes all of the following things occur in an effort to acclimatise EXCEPT
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypoventilation. At high altitudes, the body adapts to the decreased oxygen availability by increasing red blood cell production (polycythaemia) to enhance oxygen-carrying capacity. This is supported by the shift of the oxygen dissociation curve to the right, facilitating oxygen unloading in tissues. Additionally, increased capillaries in peripheral tissues improve oxygen delivery. However, hypoventilation, or decreased breathing rate, is not a typical response to high altitudes. In fact, the body usually compensates by increasing ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen levels.
Question 4 of 5
Nurse Ruth assessing a patient for tracheal displacement should know that the trachea will deviate toward the:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Contralateral side in hemothorax. In a hemothorax, blood collects in the pleural cavity on one side of the chest, causing a mass effect that displaces the trachea away from the affected side towards the opposite side. This occurs due to the pressure created by the accumulated blood pushing the trachea away. In the other choices, tracheal deviation would occur towards the affected side rather than away from it. For example, in a tension pneumothorax (Choice C), air accumulates under pressure in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse and pushing the trachea towards the affected side. Similarly, in a simple pneumothorax (Choice A), where there is air in the pleural space but not under pressure, the trachea may deviate towards the affected side. In a hemothorax (Choice B), the trachea would not deviate towards the affected side as
Question 5 of 5
A male adult client is suspected of having a pulmonary embolism. A nurse assesses the client, knowing that which of the following is a common clinical manifestation of pulmonary embolism?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dyspnea. Pulmonary embolism causes a blockage in the pulmonary arteries, leading to decreased oxygenation and subsequent shortness of breath. To assess for pulmonary embolism, a nurse would look for symptoms such as sudden onset dyspnea. Bradypnea (B) refers to abnormally slow breathing rate, which is not typically seen in pulmonary embolism. Bradycardia (C) is a slow heart rate, which may occur in some cases but is not a common clinical manifestation of pulmonary embolism. Decreased respirations (D) is too vague and does not specifically indicate the difficulty in breathing associated with pulmonary embolism.