MCQ Quiz: Respiration Pathophysiology
The respiratory system is fundamental to life, facilitating gas exchange that fuels cellular processes. Understanding its normal function and the pathophysiological changes that occur in various respiratory diseases is critical for PharmD students. Knowledge of respiratory pathophysiology, patient assessment findings, and diagnostic procedures forms the basis for effective therapeutic interventions and patient counseling. This quiz will explore key concepts in respiration, including mechanisms of breathing, lung volumes, and the pathophysiology of common pulmonary disorders such as obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, and pulmonary embolism.
1. What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
- a) Pumping blood throughout the body
- b) Facilitating gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
- c) Digesting food and absorbing nutrients
- d) Filtering waste products from the blood
Answer: b) Facilitating gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
2. Which of the following best describes the mechanics of inhalation?
- a) Diaphragm relaxes, chest volume decreases, air flows out
- b) Diaphragm contracts, chest volume increases, air flows in
- c) Diaphragm contracts, chest volume decreases, air flows in
- d) Diaphragm relaxes, chest volume increases, air flows out
Answer: b) Diaphragm contracts, chest volume increases, air flows in
3. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are used to assess what primary aspect of the respiratory system?
- a) Blood oxygen saturation
- b) Lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates
- c) Presence of respiratory infections
- d) Heart-lung interactions
Answer: b) Lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates
4. Obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, are primarily characterized by:
- a) Difficulty inhaling fully due to stiff lungs
- b) Difficulty exhaling air due to narrowed airways
- c) Reduced total lung capacity
- d) Increased elasticity of the lung tissue
Answer: b) Difficulty exhaling air due to narrowed airways
5. Restrictive lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, are primarily characterized by:
- a) Increased airway resistance during exhalation
- b) Normal or increased total lung capacity
- c) Reduced lung expansion and decreased total lung capacity
- d) Chronic inflammation of the bronchioles
Answer: c) Reduced lung expansion and decreased total lung capacity
6. What is a pulmonary embolism?
- a) A chronic inflammatory condition of the airways
- b) A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot
- c) An infection of the lung parenchyma
- d) A collection of fluid in the pleural space
Answer: b) A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot
7. Which of the following is a key feature of lung cancer pathogenesis?
- a) Always caused by viral infections
- b) Uncontrolled proliferation of lung cells, often leading to tumor formation and metastasis
- c) Reversible airway constriction
- d) Autoimmune destruction of alveolar sacs
Answer: b) Uncontrolled proliferation of lung cells, often leading to tumor formation and metastasis
8. The term “metastasis” in the context of cancer refers to:
- a) The initial formation of a tumor
- b) The spread of cancer cells from the primary site to other parts of the body
- c) The shrinkage of a tumor in response to therapy
- d) The benign growth of cells
Answer: b) The spread of cancer cells from the primary site to other parts of the body
9. The impact of pulmonary tumors on respiratory functions primarily includes:
- a) Enhanced gas exchange efficiency
- b) Obstruction of airways, reduced lung volume, and impaired gas exchange
- c) Increased lung compliance
- d) Decreased work of breathing
Answer: b) Obstruction of airways, reduced lung volume, and impaired gas exchange
10. Which of the following is a common symptom of obstructive lung disease?
- a) Sharp chest pain on inspiration
- b) Wheezing and shortness of breath
- c) Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- d) Rapid, shallow breathing with no wheeze
Answer: b) Wheezing and shortness of breath
11. The volume of air moved in or out of the lungs during a normal quiet breath is known as:
- a) Vital Capacity (VC)
- b) Tidal Volume (TV)
- c) Residual Volume (RV)
- d) Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
Answer: b) Tidal Volume (TV)
12. Which of the following is a primary mechanism of gas exchange in the alveoli?
- a) Active transport
- b) Osmosis
- c) Diffusion
- d) Filtration
Answer: c) Diffusion
13. Surfactant is a substance found in the alveoli that functions to:
- a) Trap foreign particles
- b) Increase surface tension, promoting alveolar collapse
- c) Reduce surface tension, preventing alveolar collapse
- d) Facilitate active transport of oxygen
Answer: c) Reduce surface tension, preventing alveolar collapse
14. Hypoxemia refers to:
- a) Low carbon dioxide levels in the blood
- b) High oxygen levels in the blood
- c) Low oxygen levels in the blood
- d) High carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Answer: c) Low oxygen levels in the blood
15. Hypercapnia refers to:
- a) Low carbon dioxide levels in the blood
- b) High oxygen levels in the blood
- c) Low oxygen levels in the blood
- d) High carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Answer: d) High carbon dioxide levels in the blood
16. The central chemoreceptors that regulate breathing are primarily sensitive to changes in:
- a) Blood oxygen levels
- b) Blood pH and carbon dioxide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid
- c) Blood potassium levels
- d) Blood pressure
Answer: b) Blood pH and carbon dioxide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid
17. Emphysema, a form of COPD, is characterized by:
- a) Reversible bronchoconstriction
- b) Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of lung elasticity
- c) Thickening of the bronchial walls due to inflammation
- d) Accumulation of mucus in the airways
Answer: b) Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of lung elasticity
18. Chronic bronchitis, a form of COPD, is defined by:
- a) Acute inflammation of the bronchioles
- b) Presence of a chronic productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years
- c) Irreversible dilation of the bronchi
- d) Fibrosis of the lung parenchyma
Answer: b) Presence of a chronic productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years
19. In asthma, airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction are often triggered by:
- a) Bacterial infections only
- b) Allergens, irritants, or exercise
- c) High altitude
- d) Ingestion of fatty foods
Answer: b) Allergens, irritants, or exercise
20. Which of the following is a common finding on a chest X-ray of a patient with pneumonia?
- a) Hyperinflated lungs
- b) Pleural effusion
- c) Infiltrates or opacities in the lung tissue
- d) Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
Answer: c) Infiltrates or opacities in the lung tissue
21. Pneumothorax refers to the presence of:
- a) Fluid in the pleural space
- b) Air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse
- c) Pus in the pleural space
- d) Blood in the pleural space
Answer: b) Air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse
22. A common risk factor for developing a pulmonary embolism is:
- a) Regular vigorous exercise
- b) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- c) High fiber diet
- d) Chronic hypertension
Answer: b) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
23. The primary goal of using an inhaler for a respiratory patient is to:
- a) Deliver medication directly to the systemic circulation
- b) Deliver medication directly to the lungs to improve patient outcomes
- c) Improve cardiovascular function
- d) Reduce gastric acidity
Answer: b) Deliver medication directly to the lungs to improve patient outcomes
24. Interpreting patient data for a respiratory patient involves assessing:
- a) Only blood glucose levels
- b) Drug-related issues and counseling on proper use of respiratory devices
- c) Only liver function tests
- d) Only renal function tests
Answer: b) Drug-related issues and counseling on proper use of respiratory devices
25. The term “dyspnea” refers to:
- a) Coughing
- b) Wheezing
- c) Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- d) Chest pain
Answer: c) Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
26. Clubbing of the fingers can be a sign of chronic:
- a) Hypoglycemia
- b) Hypoxemia
- c) Hypercalcemia
- d) Hyponatremia
Answer: b) Hypoxemia
27. The main airways that branch off the trachea are called the:
- a) Alveoli
- b) Bronchioles
- c) Main bronchi
- d) Pharynx
Answer: c) Main bronchi
28. Which part of the brainstem contains the primary respiratory control centers?
- a) Cerebellum
- b) Medulla oblongata and pons
- c) Hypothalamus
- d) Thalamus
Answer: b) Medulla oblongata and pons
29. What is the role of cilia in the respiratory tract?
- a) Gas exchange
- b) To produce mucus
- c) To propel mucus and trapped particles out of the airways
- d) To constrict the airways
Answer: c) To propel mucus and trapped particles out of the airways
30. In restrictive lung disease, the FEV1/FVC ratio is typically:
- a) Decreased (<70%)
- b) Normal or increased (>70-80%)
- c) Always zero
- d) Variable and not diagnostic
Answer: b) Normal or increased (>70-80%)
31. Atelectasis refers to:
- a) Inflammation of the pleura
- b) Collapse or incomplete expansion of a part of the lung
- c) Dilation of the bronchi
- d) Accumulation of pus in the alveoli
Answer: b) Collapse or incomplete expansion of a part of the lung
32. A “barrel chest” appearance is often seen in patients with advanced:
- a) Pneumonia
- b) Emphysema
- c) Pulmonary fibrosis
- d) Acute bronchitis
Answer: b) Emphysema
33. The most common cause of acute bronchitis is:
- a) Bacterial infection
- b) Viral infection
- c) Fungal infection
- d) Allergic reaction
Answer: b) Viral infection
34. Pleural effusion is an accumulation of excess fluid in the:
- a) Alveoli
- b) Bronchioles
- c) Pleural space
- d) Pericardial sac
Answer: c) Pleural space
35. Cor pulmonale is a condition defined by:
- a) Left ventricular hypertrophy due to systemic hypertension
- b) Right ventricular hypertrophy and failure due to pulmonary hypertension
- c) Inflammation of the heart muscle
- d) Ischemic heart disease
Answer: b) Right ventricular hypertrophy and failure due to pulmonary hypertension
36. The primary defect in cystic fibrosis leading to respiratory complications is:
- a) Overproduction of surfactant
- b) Defective chloride ion transport, leading to thick, sticky mucus
- c) Autoimmune destruction of lung tissue
- d) Chronic airway dilation
Answer: b) Defective chloride ion transport, leading to thick, sticky mucus
37. A V/Q mismatch refers to an imbalance between:
- a) Inspiratory and expiratory volumes
- b) Ventilation (air flow) and perfusion (blood flow) in the lungs
- c) Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the alveoli
- d) Heart rate and respiratory rate
Answer: b) Ventilation (air flow) and perfusion (blood flow) in the lungs
38. Orthopnea is defined as shortness of breath that occurs when:
- a) Exercising
- b) Lying flat
- c) Exposed to cold air
- d) Eating
Answer: b) Lying flat
39. Crackles (rales) heard during lung auscultation often indicate the presence of:
- a) Narrowed airways
- b) Fluid in the alveoli or small airways
- c) Inflammation of the pleura
- d) Obstruction in the large airways
Answer: b) Fluid in the alveoli or small airways
40. Wheezes heard during lung auscultation are typically caused by:
- a) Fluid in the alveoli
- b) Inflammation of the pleura
- c) Narrowed airways
- d) Collapsed alveoli
Answer: c) Narrowed airways
41. The term for coughing up blood or bloody sputum is:
- a) Hematemesis
- b) Hemoptysis
- c) Melena
- d) Epistaxis
Answer: b) Hemoptysis
42. Silicosis and asbestosis are examples of what type of lung disease?
- a) Obstructive lung disease
- b) Infectious lung disease
- c) Occupational (restrictive) lung disease
- d) Congenital lung disease
Answer: c) Occupational (restrictive) lung disease
43. Sleep apnea is characterized by:
- a) Continuous deep sleep
- b) Recurrent episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
- c) Excessive daytime sleepiness without breathing disturbances
- d) Loud snoring without apneic episodes
Answer: b) Recurrent episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
44. The Mantoux test (tuberculin skin test) is used to screen for exposure to:
- a) Influenza virus
- b) Streptococcus pneumoniae
- c) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- d) Legionella pneumophila
Answer: c) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
45. Which of the following is a significant long-term consequence of smoking on the respiratory system?
- a) Improved lung function
- b) Decreased risk of lung cancer
- c) Increased risk of COPD and lung cancer
- d) Reversal of asthma symptoms
Answer: c) Increased risk of COPD and lung cancer
46. The partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood normally ranges from:
- a) 20-40 mmHg
- b) 40-60 mmHg
- c) 80-100 mmHg
- d) 120-140 mmHg
Answer: c) 80-100 mmHg
47. Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition characterized by:
- a) Reversible airway narrowing
- b) Irreversible dilation and destruction of the bronchi
- c) Fluid accumulation in the alveoli
- d) Fibrosis of the interstitial lung tissue
Answer: b) Irreversible dilation and destruction of the bronchi
48. What is the primary purpose of pursed-lip breathing in patients with COPD?
- a) To increase respiratory rate
- b) To help keep airways open longer and improve exhalation
- c) To increase oxygen intake during inhalation
- d) To reduce coughing frequency
Answer: b) To help keep airways open longer and improve exhalation
49. The diaphragm is innervated by which nerve?
- a) Vagus nerve
- b) Intercostal nerves
- c) Phrenic nerve
- d) Sciatic nerve
Answer: c) Phrenic nerve
50. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by:
- a) Chronic, slowly progressive dyspnea
- b) Reversible bronchospasm
- c) Sudden onset of severe hypoxemia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates not due to heart failure
- d) Upper airway obstruction
Answer: c) Sudden onset of severe hypoxemia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates not due to heart failure