Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What causes air to move into the lungs during inspiration?
A. Muscle contraction of upper airways
Muscle contraction of upper airways: Upper airway muscle movement does not create the main pressure change driving inspiration
B. Partial pressure gradients for oxygen and carbon dioxide
Partial pressure gradients for oxygen and carbon dioxide: Partial pressure gradients drive gas diffusion across membranes, not bulk airflow into lungs
C. Pressure gradient between atmosphere and alveoli
Pressure gradient between atmosphere and alveoli: Contraction of the diaphragm/intercostals lowers intrapulmonary pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, causing air to flow in
D. Concentration gradients for oxygen and carbon dioxide
Concentration gradients for oxygen and carbon dioxide: Concentration gradients drive diffusion at the alveolar–capillary level, not the gross movement of air into the lungs
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Full Explanation
A. Muscle contraction of upper airways: Upper airway muscle movement does not create the main pressure change driving inspiration
B. Partial pressure gradients for oxygen and carbon dioxide: Partial pressure gradients drive gas diffusion across membranes, not bulk airflow into lungs
C. Pressure gradient between atmosphere and alveoli: Contraction of the diaphragm/intercostals lowers intrapulmonary pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, causing air to flow in
D. Concentration gradients for oxygen and carbon dioxide: Concentration gradients drive diffusion at the alveolar–capillary level, not the gross movement of air into the lungs
Similar Questions
Which process involves gas exchange between the atmosphere and the cells of the body and the resulting chemical reactions that provide the cells with energy to function.
A. respiration
Respiration: Respiration encompasses gas exchange (external/internal) and cellular reactions (cellular respiration) that produce energy
B. oxidation
Oxidation: Oxidation is a chemical process involved in metabolism but does not by itself describe the full gas-exchange-energy sequence
C. metabolism
Metabolism: Metabolism is the sum of biochemical reactions (including energy production) but doesn’t explicitly include atmospheric gas exchange -less precise / incorrect for the combined description.
D. breathing
Breathing: Breathing (ventilation) is the mechanical movement of air and does not include cellular chemical reactions that generate cellular energy
Full Explanation
A. Respiration: Respiration encompasses gas exchange (external/internal) and cellular reactions (cellular respiration) that produce energy
B. Oxidation: Oxidation is a chemical process involved in metabolism but does not by itself describe the full gas-exchange-energy sequence
C. Metabolism: Metabolism is the sum of biochemical reactions (including energy production) but doesn’t explicitly include atmospheric gas exchange -less precise / incorrect for the combined description.
D. Breathing: Breathing (ventilation) is the mechanical movement of air and does not include cellular chemical reactions that generate cellular energy
This epithelium, located in the respiratory tract, is equipped with
Full Explanation
A. Microvilli: Microvilli increase surface area for absorption (common in intestines), not the hallmark of respiratory epithelium
B. Cilia: Respiratory epithelium (pseudostratified ciliated columnar) is equipped with cilia on its free surface to move mucus and trapped particles
C. Keratin: Keratinization occurs in skin epithelium (protective), not in the typical respiratory lining
D. Desmosomes: Desmosomes are cell junctions found in many epithelia but the question asks about free-surface specializations; cilia are the functional free-surface structures in respiratory epithelium
What is the anatomical name for the voice box?
A. Pharynx
Pharynx: The pharynx is the throat region (shared airway/digestive pathway), not the voice box
B. Oral cavity
Oral cavity: The oral cavity is the mouth, not the voice box
C. Larynx
Larynx: The larynx is the anatomical name for the voice box
D. Trachea
Trachea: The trachea is the windpipe below the larynx, not the voice box
Full Explanation
A. Pharynx: The pharynx is the throat region (shared airway/digestive pathway), not the voice box
B. Oral cavity: The oral cavity is the mouth, not the voice box
C. Larynx: The larynx is the anatomical name for the voice box
D. Trachea: The trachea is the windpipe below the larynx, not the voice box