GAS EXCHANGE AND OXYGENATION ATI 2026
RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT REVIEW
QUESTIONS ANSWERS VERIFIED GUIDE
◉ what structures consist of the upper airway?
Answer: pharynx and larynx
◉ what structures consist of the lower airway?
Answer: trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
◉ what structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange?
Answer: the lungs
◉ what is the route of the body's airway?
Answer: mouth/nose
naso/oro-pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchi
bronchioles
alveoli
, ◉ 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
RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT REVIEW
QUESTIONS ANSWERS VERIFIED GUIDE
◉ what structures consist of the upper airway?
Answer: pharynx and larynx
◉ what structures consist of the lower airway?
Answer: trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
◉ what structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange?
Answer: the lungs
◉ what is the route of the body's airway?
Answer: mouth/nose
naso/oro-pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchi
bronchioles
alveoli
, ◉ 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
