©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
NUR968: Pulmonary Physiology (Part 1)
Practice Questions and Answers
Why is the mediastinum slightly displaced to the left? - Ans:✔✔-Because of the heart
True or false: The left lung represents 45% of total lung volume & the right lung represents 55% of total
lung volume - Ans:✔✔-True
Anatomically, the mediastinum contains all chest structures EXCEPT what? - Ans:✔✔-Except the lungs
Where are the lungs located? - Ans:✔✔-In the pleural cavity
Are the lungs attached to the chest wall? - Ans:✔✔-No, the lungs are not attached to the chest wall & in
fact, float within the chest cavity
What is the only area where the lungs are in a "fixed" position? - Ans:✔✔-The hilum
Mediastinum - Anesthetic Significance:
Page 1/43
, ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
In blunt force trauma, the mediastinal & pleural structures continue to travel until they are forced to
stop. Because the hilum is a fixed structure, this is often a point where __ occur (aorta, pulmonary
vessels, vena cava, bronchi) - Ans:✔✔-Tears
What keeps the lungs inflated? - Ans:✔✔-The pleura
"The glue"
What does the pleura do? - Ans:✔✔-Protect & cushion the lungs
Two thin linings or membranes that do this
What is the pleural lining that covers the lungs? - Ans:✔✔-Visceral pleura
What is the pleural lining that covers the chest wall? - Ans:✔✔-Parietal pleura
Between the two pleural linings there is a small amount (a few mL) of fluid. What does this do? -
Ans:✔✔-It lubricates the surface of the linings
-So the two surfaces glide smoothly over one another (decreases friction & inflammation)
Page 2/43
, ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
-The lungs are thus held in place in the thoracic cavity & yet can move freely
What does intrapleural pressure refer to? What is another name for it? - Ans:✔✔-Refers to the pressure
inside the pleural cavity
-Also known as the intrathoracic pressure
Is normal breathing negative or positive pressure? - Ans:✔✔-Negative pressure
In normal, quiet breathing, this pressure is slightly below atmospheric pressure
What are the 3 things that contribute to the negative intrathoracic pressure? - Ans:✔✔-1. The elasticity
of the lungs
2. The elasticity of the thoracic cavity
3. The surface tension created by alveolar fluid
When there is a breach in the pleural space & AIR accumulates, what is this called? What about when
BLOOD accumulates? - Ans:✔✔-Air = Pneumothorax
Page 3/43
, ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
Blood = Hemothorax
What zones are the lungs divided into? (2) - Ans:✔✔-1. Conducting zone
2. Respiratory zone
Is the conducting zone involved in air exchange with the blood? - Ans:✔✔-No
Carries air but is not involved in air exchange with blood
What structures does the conducting zone include? These contain what? (3) - Ans:✔✔-Includes the
trachea, bronchi & bronchioles
Contain:
1. Cilia
2. Cartilage (not the bronchioles)
3. Smooth muscle
Is the respiratory zone involved in air exchange with the blood? - Ans:✔✔-Yes
Page 4/43
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
NUR968: Pulmonary Physiology (Part 1)
Practice Questions and Answers
Why is the mediastinum slightly displaced to the left? - Ans:✔✔-Because of the heart
True or false: The left lung represents 45% of total lung volume & the right lung represents 55% of total
lung volume - Ans:✔✔-True
Anatomically, the mediastinum contains all chest structures EXCEPT what? - Ans:✔✔-Except the lungs
Where are the lungs located? - Ans:✔✔-In the pleural cavity
Are the lungs attached to the chest wall? - Ans:✔✔-No, the lungs are not attached to the chest wall & in
fact, float within the chest cavity
What is the only area where the lungs are in a "fixed" position? - Ans:✔✔-The hilum
Mediastinum - Anesthetic Significance:
Page 1/43
, ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
In blunt force trauma, the mediastinal & pleural structures continue to travel until they are forced to
stop. Because the hilum is a fixed structure, this is often a point where __ occur (aorta, pulmonary
vessels, vena cava, bronchi) - Ans:✔✔-Tears
What keeps the lungs inflated? - Ans:✔✔-The pleura
"The glue"
What does the pleura do? - Ans:✔✔-Protect & cushion the lungs
Two thin linings or membranes that do this
What is the pleural lining that covers the lungs? - Ans:✔✔-Visceral pleura
What is the pleural lining that covers the chest wall? - Ans:✔✔-Parietal pleura
Between the two pleural linings there is a small amount (a few mL) of fluid. What does this do? -
Ans:✔✔-It lubricates the surface of the linings
-So the two surfaces glide smoothly over one another (decreases friction & inflammation)
Page 2/43
, ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
-The lungs are thus held in place in the thoracic cavity & yet can move freely
What does intrapleural pressure refer to? What is another name for it? - Ans:✔✔-Refers to the pressure
inside the pleural cavity
-Also known as the intrathoracic pressure
Is normal breathing negative or positive pressure? - Ans:✔✔-Negative pressure
In normal, quiet breathing, this pressure is slightly below atmospheric pressure
What are the 3 things that contribute to the negative intrathoracic pressure? - Ans:✔✔-1. The elasticity
of the lungs
2. The elasticity of the thoracic cavity
3. The surface tension created by alveolar fluid
When there is a breach in the pleural space & AIR accumulates, what is this called? What about when
BLOOD accumulates? - Ans:✔✔-Air = Pneumothorax
Page 3/43
, ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
Blood = Hemothorax
What zones are the lungs divided into? (2) - Ans:✔✔-1. Conducting zone
2. Respiratory zone
Is the conducting zone involved in air exchange with the blood? - Ans:✔✔-No
Carries air but is not involved in air exchange with blood
What structures does the conducting zone include? These contain what? (3) - Ans:✔✔-Includes the
trachea, bronchi & bronchioles
Contain:
1. Cilia
2. Cartilage (not the bronchioles)
3. Smooth muscle
Is the respiratory zone involved in air exchange with the blood? - Ans:✔✔-Yes
Page 4/43
