The nasal mucosa warms and moistens inhaled air before it reaches the lungs.
Correct Answer
True
True. The nasal mucosa has a rich blood supply that warms and moistens inhaled air while mucus and hairs filter it. This conditioning protects the delicate lower airways.
Category: Upper Airway Structures
Question 2
The paranasal sinuses add weight to the facial bones.
Correct Answer
False
False. The air-filled sinuses reduce the weight of the facial bones. They also produce mucus that helps clean inhaled air and drains into the nose.
Category: Upper Airway Structures
Question 3
The pharynx carries food and fluid as well as air.
Correct Answer
True
True. The pharynx, or throat, is a shared passage that carries air from the nose and mouth and also food and fluid on their way to the esophagus.
Category: Upper Airway Structures
Question 4
Olfactory sensory neurons that detect smell are located in the larynx.
Correct Answer
False
False. The olfactory sensory neurons sit in a small patch of tissue in the nose. The larynx houses the vocal cords and protects the lower airway.
Category: Upper Airway Structures
Question 5
The larynx lies below the trachea in the airway.
Correct Answer
False
False. The larynx lies above the trachea; inhaled air passes through the pharynx and larynx and then down the trachea into the lungs.
Category: Upper Airway Structures
Question 6
Pharyngitis is a nonspecific diagnosis that does not identify the cause of the sore throat.
Correct Answer
True
True. Pharyngitis simply means an inflamed pharynx. The cause may be a virus, group A Streptococcus, allergies or reflux, and treatment depends on which one is found.
Category: Upper Respiratory Conditions
Question 7
Laryngitis usually requires antibiotics to resolve.
Correct Answer
False
False. Laryngitis usually resolves on its own without treatment. Its hallmark is sudden hoarseness with difficulty speaking, a sore throat and an irritating cough.
Category: Upper Respiratory Conditions
Question 8
Viral infection, smoke and temperature changes can each cause rhinitis.
Correct Answer
True
True. Rhinitis can be triggered by allergens such as pollen and animal dander and also by viral infection, smoke, temperature changes and certain drugs.
Category: Upper Respiratory Conditions
Question 9
Inflammation in rhinitis decreases the amount of nasal secretions.
Correct Answer
False
False. Inflammation swells the nasal membranes and increases secretions, producing a stuffy, runny nose with clear drainage.
Category: Upper Respiratory Conditions
Question 10
Gas exchange requires ventilated alveoli, diffusion of gases and adequate perfusion.
Correct Answer
True
True. Air must reach the alveoli, oxygen and carbon dioxide must diffuse across the respiratory membrane, and blood must flow through the pulmonary capillaries. A problem with any one of these steps impairs gas exchange.
Category: Gas Exchange
Question 11
The left lung is larger than the right lung.
Correct Answer
False
False. The right lung is the larger lung. The left lung is smaller because it shares space in the chest with the heart.
Category: Lower Airway Structures
Question 12
Upper respiratory conditions mainly involve damage to the alveoli.
Correct Answer
False
False. Upper respiratory conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis involve inflammation of the mucosal lining of the upper airway. The alveoli belong to the lower respiratory system.
Category: Upper Respiratory Conditions
Question 13
Oxygen diffuses from the pulmonary capillaries into the alveoli.
Correct Answer
False
False. Oxygen moves from the alveoli into the pulmonary capillaries, while carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. Each gas moves from where its pressure is higher to where it is lower.
Category: Gas Exchange
Question 14
Untreated hypoxemia can be fatal.
Correct Answer
True
True. When blood oxygen is too low, tissues and organs do not get the oxygen they need. Hypoxemia often requires concentrated oxygen and can cause death if it is not treated.
Category: Gas Exchange
Question 15
Asthma symptoms such as coughing and chest tightness can disrupt sleep.
Correct Answer
True
True. Sleep problems caused by shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing or chest tightness are among the symptoms of asthma. Night symptoms are a sign the disease is not well controlled.
Category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Question 16
Besides tobacco smoke, air pollution, family history and some respiratory infections can contribute to COPD.
Correct Answer
True
True. Tobacco smoke is the leading cause, but air pollution, family history and respiratory infections such as pneumonia also contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Question 17
Antibiotics are a routine daily treatment for every client with chronic bronchitis.
Correct Answer
False
False. Antibiotics are added for chronic bronchitis only when a bacterial infection is suspected. Ongoing care relies on quitting smoking, staying active and bronchodilators, with other inhaled drugs added for some clients.
Category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Question 18
Many clients with emphysema eventually need supplemental oxygen.
Correct Answer
True
True. Emphysema shrinks the surface area available for gas exchange, so less oxygen reaches the blood, and many clients need supplemental oxygen as it progresses.
Category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Question 19
Bronchodilators can reverse the alveolar damage of emphysema.
Correct Answer
False
False. Emphysema cannot be cured, and the destroyed alveolar walls do not regrow. Bronchodilators widen the airways to relieve symptoms, and quitting smoking is the step that slows further damage.
Category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Question 20
Exercise and respiratory viruses can trigger asthma symptoms.
Correct Answer
True
True. Common asthma triggers include exercise, respiratory viruses such as influenza, allergens such as pollen or mold and workplace chemicals or dust.
Category: Lower Respiratory Conditions