Chapter 53  Introduction to the Respiratory System

Chapter 53  Introduction to the Respiratory System

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1. A nurse is discussing ways the body protects itself against infection. What are the microscopic, hair-
like projections of the cell membrane found in the nasal cavity, which transport foreign substances
toward the throat where it can be swallowed and kept away from the respiratory system?

A) Goblet cells

B) Cilia

C) Alveolar sacs

D) Sinuses

Ans: B

Feedback:

Cilia are found in the epithelial cells of the lining of the nasal cavity and are constantly in motion
directing mucus and trapped substances down toward the throat. Goblet cells are found in the epithelial
lining and produce mucus, which traps foreign substances. Alveolar sacs are located in the lower
respiratory tract and are considered the functional units of the lung. Sinuses are air-filled passages
through the skull, which open into the nasal cavity.

2. A 39-year-old teacher with bronchitis has been up all night with intense coughing spasms and asks the
nurse ​How is all this coughing related to my bronchitis?​ The nurse tells the patient that a cough is
initiated by what?

A) Irritation to receptors in the nasal cavity

B) Irritation to receptors in the bronchi

C) Irritation to receptors in the pharynx

D) Irritation to receptors in the sinus cavities

Ans: B

Feedback:

Irritation to bronchial receptors will initiate a cough, which causes air to be pushed through the
bronchial tree. Irritation to receptors in the nasal cavity, pharynx, and sinuses are more likely to initiate
the sneeze reflex.

Test Bank – Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch) 865

3. A woman has just given birth to a premature infant. The mother asks why the infant is having such a
hard time breathing. The nurse explains that the infant’s alveoli are unable to stay open. What is the
infant lacking that is necessary for correct functioning of the alveoli?

A) Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

B) Histamine

C) Serotonin

D) Surfactant

Ans: D

Feedback:

Surfactant is a lipoprotein that decreases the surface tension in the sac and prevents alveolar collapse.
ATP, histamine, and serotonin are released from mast cells throughout the airway to ensure a quick and
intense inflammatory reaction to any cell injury, which may lead to a respiratory infection.

4. The nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a head injury and is now having difficulty breathing. The
nurse knows that this patient may have injured what part of the central nervous system?

A) Cerebral cortex

B) Cerebellum

C) Hypothalamus

D) Medulla oblongata

Ans: D

Feedback:

The act of breathing is controlled by the medulla, which depends on a functioning muscular system and
a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and
hypothalamus are not involved with this process.

5. The nurse in the clinic is caring for a patient who has seasonal rhinitis and the patient wants to know
what causes this to occur. What is the nurse’s best response?

A) ​You are experiencing symptoms because bacteria have entered the nose and caused an infection.​

B) ​Your upper airways are experiencing an inflammatory response to an inhaled antigen that is

causing you to have sneezing and watery eyes.​

C) ​Your sympathetic nervous system is responding to an acute amount of stress in your life causing
you to have nasal congestion.​

D) ​Your runny nose and sneezing have occurred because a portion of your lung has collapsed.​

Ans: B

Feedback:

Seasonal rhinitis usually occurs when the upper airways become inflamed because of the body’s
response to an inhaled antigen. The lungs do not collapse and the sympathetic system’s response to
stress usually opens the airways and does not cause inflammation. Bacteria entering the nose do not
cause inflammation of the rest of the upper airways.