,Geneva College NURS 231 Module 5 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage Q&A
| Pathophysiology
1. A nurse is explaining the mechanics of breathing to a patient. Which
statement accurately describes the difference between inspiration and
expiration at rest?
A) Inspiration is passive, and expiration is active.
B) Both inspiration and expiration are active processes.
C) Inspiration is active, and expiration is passive.
D) Both inspiration and expiration are passive processes.
Correct Answer: Inspiration is active, and expiration is passive.
Rationale: At rest, inspiration is an active process that requires
contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles to expand the
thoracic cavity, which lowers intrathoracic pressure and draws air into the
lungs. Expiration at rest is passive and occurs primarily due to elastic recoil
of the lungs and relaxation of the inspiratory muscles.
2. A patient with chronic lung disease has arterial blood gas results showing
a PaCO₂ of 70 mm Hg and a PaO₂ of 55 mm Hg. Which condition is the most
likely cause of these findings?
A) Hyperventilation
B) Hypoventilation
C) Normal breathing
D) Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: Hypoventilation
Rationale: Hypoventilation results in decreased alveolar ventilation,
leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) and a reduction
,in oxygen (hypoxemia). The ABG findings of elevated PaCO₂ and low PaO₂ are
classic for hypoventilation.
3. A student nurse correctly identifies the primary muscle responsible for
inspiration as the:
A) Internal intercostals
B) Diaphragm
C) Abdominal muscles
D) Sternocleidomastoid
Correct Answer: Diaphragm
Rationale: The diaphragm is the main muscle of inspiration. When it
contracts, it flattens and moves downward, increasing the vertical dimension
of the thoracic cavity and creating negative pressure that draws air into the
lungs.
4. Which term refers to the flow of gases into and out of the alveoli of the
lungs?
A) Diffusion
B) Perfusion
C) Ventilation
D) Respiration
Correct Answer: Ventilation
Rationale: Ventilation specifically refers to the movement of air
between the atmosphere and the alveoli. Diffusion is the movement of gases
across the alveolar-capillary membrane, perfusion is the flow of blood in the
, pulmonary capillaries, and respiration is the broader process of gas
exchange.
5. The breathing rate is primarily determined by input from ______ that
monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in the blood.
A) Baroreceptors
B) Chemoreceptors
C) Stretch receptors
D) Nociceptors
Correct Answer: Chemoreceptors
Rationale: Central and peripheral chemoreceptors sense changes in
arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH. Their feedback modulates the
activity of respiratory centers in the medulla to adjust ventilation and
maintain homeostasis.
6. Lung ______ is the term used to describe the ease or difficulty with which
the lungs can be inflated.
A) Compliance
B) Resistance
C) Elasticity
D) Volume
Correct Answer: Compliance
Rationale: Lung compliance refers to the distensibility of the lungs and
chest wall. High compliance indicates the lungs inflate easily, while low
compliance reflects stiffer lungs that are more difficult to inflate, as seen in
restrictive lung diseases.
| Pathophysiology
1. A nurse is explaining the mechanics of breathing to a patient. Which
statement accurately describes the difference between inspiration and
expiration at rest?
A) Inspiration is passive, and expiration is active.
B) Both inspiration and expiration are active processes.
C) Inspiration is active, and expiration is passive.
D) Both inspiration and expiration are passive processes.
Correct Answer: Inspiration is active, and expiration is passive.
Rationale: At rest, inspiration is an active process that requires
contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles to expand the
thoracic cavity, which lowers intrathoracic pressure and draws air into the
lungs. Expiration at rest is passive and occurs primarily due to elastic recoil
of the lungs and relaxation of the inspiratory muscles.
2. A patient with chronic lung disease has arterial blood gas results showing
a PaCO₂ of 70 mm Hg and a PaO₂ of 55 mm Hg. Which condition is the most
likely cause of these findings?
A) Hyperventilation
B) Hypoventilation
C) Normal breathing
D) Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: Hypoventilation
Rationale: Hypoventilation results in decreased alveolar ventilation,
leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) and a reduction
,in oxygen (hypoxemia). The ABG findings of elevated PaCO₂ and low PaO₂ are
classic for hypoventilation.
3. A student nurse correctly identifies the primary muscle responsible for
inspiration as the:
A) Internal intercostals
B) Diaphragm
C) Abdominal muscles
D) Sternocleidomastoid
Correct Answer: Diaphragm
Rationale: The diaphragm is the main muscle of inspiration. When it
contracts, it flattens and moves downward, increasing the vertical dimension
of the thoracic cavity and creating negative pressure that draws air into the
lungs.
4. Which term refers to the flow of gases into and out of the alveoli of the
lungs?
A) Diffusion
B) Perfusion
C) Ventilation
D) Respiration
Correct Answer: Ventilation
Rationale: Ventilation specifically refers to the movement of air
between the atmosphere and the alveoli. Diffusion is the movement of gases
across the alveolar-capillary membrane, perfusion is the flow of blood in the
, pulmonary capillaries, and respiration is the broader process of gas
exchange.
5. The breathing rate is primarily determined by input from ______ that
monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in the blood.
A) Baroreceptors
B) Chemoreceptors
C) Stretch receptors
D) Nociceptors
Correct Answer: Chemoreceptors
Rationale: Central and peripheral chemoreceptors sense changes in
arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH. Their feedback modulates the
activity of respiratory centers in the medulla to adjust ventilation and
maintain homeostasis.
6. Lung ______ is the term used to describe the ease or difficulty with which
the lungs can be inflated.
A) Compliance
B) Resistance
C) Elasticity
D) Volume
Correct Answer: Compliance
Rationale: Lung compliance refers to the distensibility of the lungs and
chest wall. High compliance indicates the lungs inflate easily, while low
compliance reflects stiffer lungs that are more difficult to inflate, as seen in
restrictive lung diseases.
