lOMoARcPSD|7293922
BRS Physiology MCQ (Respiratory) Questions
with Answers and Explanations 2024
REVIEW TEST
1. Which of the following lung volumes or capacities can be measured by
spirometry?
(A) Functional residual capacity (FRC)
(B) Physiologic dead space
(C) Residual volume (RV)
(D) Total lung capacity (TLC)
(E) Vital capacity (VC)
2. An infant born prematurely in gestational week 25 has neonatal respiratory
distress syndrome. Which of the following would be expected in this
infant?
(A) Arterial PO2 of 100 mm Hg
(B) Collapse of the small alveoli
(C) Increased lung compliance
(D) Normal breathing rate
(E) Lecithin: sphingomyelin ratio of greater than 2:1 in amniotic fluid
3. In which vascular bed does hypoxia cause vasoconstriction?
(A) Coronary
(B) Pulmonary
(C) Cerebral
(D) Muscle
(E) Skin
Questions 4 and 5
A 12-year-old boy has a severe asthmatic attack with wheezing. He
experiences rapid breathing and becomes cyanotic. His arterial P O2 is 60
mm Hg and his PCO2 is 30 mm Hg.
4. Which of the following statements about this patient is most likely to be
true?
(A) Forced expiratory volume1/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) is increased
(B) Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio is increased in the affected areas of his
lungs
, lOMoARcPSD|7293922
(C) His arterial PCO2 is higher than normal because of inadequate gas exchange
(D) His arterial PCO2 is lower than normal because hypoxemia is causing him to
hyperventilate
(E) His residual volume (RV) is decreased
5. To treat this patient, the physician should administer
(A) an α1-adrenergic antagonist
(B) a β1-adrenergic antagonist
(C) a β2-adrenergic agonist
(D) a muscarinic agonist
(E) a nicotinic agonist
6. Which of the following is true during inspiration?
(A) Intrapleural pressure is positive
(B) The volume in the lungs is less than the functional residual capacity (FRC)
(C) Alveolar pressure equals atmospheric pressure
(D) Alveolar pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure
(E) Intrapleural pressure is more negative than it is during expiration
7. Which volume remains in the lungs after a tidal volume (VT) is expired?
(A) Tidal volume (VT)
(B) Vital capacity (VC)
(C) Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)
(D) Residual volume (RV)
(E) Functional residual capacity (FRC)
(F) Inspiratory capacity
(G) Total lung capacity
8. A 35-year-old man has a vital capacity (VC) of 5 L, a tidal volume (VT) of
0.5 L, an inspiratory capacity of 3.5 L, and a functional residual capacity
(FRC) of 2.5 L. What is his expiratory reserve volume (ERV)?
(A) 4.5 L
(B) 3.9 L
(C) 3.6 L
(D) 3.0 L
(E) 2.5 L
(F) 2.0 L
(G) 1.5 L
, lOMoARcPSD|7293922
9. When a person is standing, blood flow in the lungs is
(A) equal at the apex and the base
(B) highest at the apex owing to the effects of gravity on arterial pressure
(C) highest at the base because that is where the difference between arterial and
venous pressure is greatest
(D) lowest at the base because that is where alveolar pressure is greater than
arterial pressure
10. Which of the following is illustrated in the graph showing volume versus
pressure in the lung–chest wall system?
BRS Physiology MCQ (Respiratory) Questions
with Answers and Explanations 2024
REVIEW TEST
1. Which of the following lung volumes or capacities can be measured by
spirometry?
(A) Functional residual capacity (FRC)
(B) Physiologic dead space
(C) Residual volume (RV)
(D) Total lung capacity (TLC)
(E) Vital capacity (VC)
2. An infant born prematurely in gestational week 25 has neonatal respiratory
distress syndrome. Which of the following would be expected in this
infant?
(A) Arterial PO2 of 100 mm Hg
(B) Collapse of the small alveoli
(C) Increased lung compliance
(D) Normal breathing rate
(E) Lecithin: sphingomyelin ratio of greater than 2:1 in amniotic fluid
3. In which vascular bed does hypoxia cause vasoconstriction?
(A) Coronary
(B) Pulmonary
(C) Cerebral
(D) Muscle
(E) Skin
Questions 4 and 5
A 12-year-old boy has a severe asthmatic attack with wheezing. He
experiences rapid breathing and becomes cyanotic. His arterial P O2 is 60
mm Hg and his PCO2 is 30 mm Hg.
4. Which of the following statements about this patient is most likely to be
true?
(A) Forced expiratory volume1/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) is increased
(B) Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio is increased in the affected areas of his
lungs
, lOMoARcPSD|7293922
(C) His arterial PCO2 is higher than normal because of inadequate gas exchange
(D) His arterial PCO2 is lower than normal because hypoxemia is causing him to
hyperventilate
(E) His residual volume (RV) is decreased
5. To treat this patient, the physician should administer
(A) an α1-adrenergic antagonist
(B) a β1-adrenergic antagonist
(C) a β2-adrenergic agonist
(D) a muscarinic agonist
(E) a nicotinic agonist
6. Which of the following is true during inspiration?
(A) Intrapleural pressure is positive
(B) The volume in the lungs is less than the functional residual capacity (FRC)
(C) Alveolar pressure equals atmospheric pressure
(D) Alveolar pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure
(E) Intrapleural pressure is more negative than it is during expiration
7. Which volume remains in the lungs after a tidal volume (VT) is expired?
(A) Tidal volume (VT)
(B) Vital capacity (VC)
(C) Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)
(D) Residual volume (RV)
(E) Functional residual capacity (FRC)
(F) Inspiratory capacity
(G) Total lung capacity
8. A 35-year-old man has a vital capacity (VC) of 5 L, a tidal volume (VT) of
0.5 L, an inspiratory capacity of 3.5 L, and a functional residual capacity
(FRC) of 2.5 L. What is his expiratory reserve volume (ERV)?
(A) 4.5 L
(B) 3.9 L
(C) 3.6 L
(D) 3.0 L
(E) 2.5 L
(F) 2.0 L
(G) 1.5 L
, lOMoARcPSD|7293922
9. When a person is standing, blood flow in the lungs is
(A) equal at the apex and the base
(B) highest at the apex owing to the effects of gravity on arterial pressure
(C) highest at the base because that is where the difference between arterial and
venous pressure is greatest
(D) lowest at the base because that is where alveolar pressure is greater than
arterial pressure
10. Which of the following is illustrated in the graph showing volume versus
pressure in the lung–chest wall system?
