GAS EXCHANGE AND OXYGENATION ATI 2026
OXYGEN THERAPY WORKBOOK SOLVED
QUESTIONS COMPILATION
◉ what keeps the alveoli from collapsing during exhalation?
Answer: surfactant
◉ when does atelactasis most commonly occur?
Answer: in the setting of thoracic or abdominal surgery
-general anesthesia or opioids leads to slow, unproductive breathing
that prevents the exchange of gases
◉ what structures are involved in gas exchange?
Answer: bronchioles and alveoli
-the large airways and bronchioles deliver gas to the alveoli and the
pulmonary capillaries (located in the walls of the alveoli) through
diffusion
◉ ventilation
Answer: the flow of air inside or outside of the alveoli
-oxygen is transported in and carbon dioxide is taken out
, ◉ perfusion
Answer: the flow of blood into the alveolar capillaries, to the heart,
and then out to the rest of the body
-deoxygenated blood is exchanged for oxygenated blood
-oxygenated blood is directed into the capillaries and deoxygenated
blood is returned to the lungs
◉ what structure monitors the body's oxygen demand and CO2
levels?
Answer: brainstem
-signals the respiratory system to respond to excesses or under-
supply.
◉ what regulates respirations?
Answer: central and peripheral chemoreceptors located in the
medulla oblongata within the brainstem and in the aortic
arch/carotid
◉ lung compliance
Answer: the point to which a lung can expand in response to
increased pressure within the alveoli (interalveolar)
◉ what diseases affect lung compliance?
Answer: emphysema, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and atelectasis
OXYGEN THERAPY WORKBOOK SOLVED
QUESTIONS COMPILATION
◉ what keeps the alveoli from collapsing during exhalation?
Answer: surfactant
◉ when does atelactasis most commonly occur?
Answer: in the setting of thoracic or abdominal surgery
-general anesthesia or opioids leads to slow, unproductive breathing
that prevents the exchange of gases
◉ what structures are involved in gas exchange?
Answer: bronchioles and alveoli
-the large airways and bronchioles deliver gas to the alveoli and the
pulmonary capillaries (located in the walls of the alveoli) through
diffusion
◉ ventilation
Answer: the flow of air inside or outside of the alveoli
-oxygen is transported in and carbon dioxide is taken out
, ◉ perfusion
Answer: the flow of blood into the alveolar capillaries, to the heart,
and then out to the rest of the body
-deoxygenated blood is exchanged for oxygenated blood
-oxygenated blood is directed into the capillaries and deoxygenated
blood is returned to the lungs
◉ what structure monitors the body's oxygen demand and CO2
levels?
Answer: brainstem
-signals the respiratory system to respond to excesses or under-
supply.
◉ what regulates respirations?
Answer: central and peripheral chemoreceptors located in the
medulla oblongata within the brainstem and in the aortic
arch/carotid
◉ lung compliance
Answer: the point to which a lung can expand in response to
increased pressure within the alveoli (interalveolar)
◉ what diseases affect lung compliance?
Answer: emphysema, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and atelectasis
