Sputum Bowl 2| QUESTIONS| WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
Sputum Bowl
1. What is the primary function of surfactant in the lungs?
A) Increases airway resistance
B) Reduces surface tension in alveoli
C) Enhances mucus production
D) Increases lung compliance
✅ Solution:
Surfactant is a lipoprotein that reduces surface tension in alveoli, preventing alveolar collapse
and improving lung compliance.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Reduces surface tension in alveoli
2. A patient with COPD is experiencing hypoxic drive. What is the primary
stimulus for breathing in this patient?
A) Increased CO₂ levels
B) Decreased oxygen levels
C) Increased lung compliance
D) Decreased lung volumes
✅ Solution:
In COPD patients, chronic CO₂ retention leads to a shift in respiratory drive from hypercapnia
(high CO₂) to hypoxia (low O₂).
✅ Correct Answer: B) Decreased oxygen levels
3. What is the normal value for arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO ₂) at sea
level?
A) 40-60 mmHg
B) 80-100 mmHg
,C) 120-140 mmHg
D) 60-80 mmHg
✅ Solution:
At sea level, normal PaO₂ ranges between 80-100 mmHg in a healthy individual breathing room
air.
✅ Correct Answer: B) 80-100 mmHg
4. What is the primary cause of respiratory acidosis?
A) Hyperventilation
B) Hypoventilation
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Increased bicarbonate excretion
✅ Solution:
Respiratory acidosis occurs due to hypoventilation, which leads to CO₂ retention and a
decrease in blood pH.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Hypoventilation
5. What lung volume remains in the lungs after maximal expiration?
A) Tidal volume
B) Expiratory reserve volume
C) Residual volume
D) Inspiratory reserve volume
✅ Solution:
Residual volume (RV) is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximum expiration
and prevents lung collapse.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Residual volume
6. What does a rightward shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicate?
A) Increased oxygen affinity
B) Decreased oxygen delivery
,C) Increased oxygen unloading at tissues
D) Respiratory alkalosis
✅ Solution:
A rightward shift means reduced hemoglobin affinity for oxygen, promoting oxygen
unloading in tissues.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Increased oxygen unloading at tissues
7. What is the primary buffer system in the blood?
A) Phosphate buffer system
B) Bicarbonate buffer system
C) Protein buffer system
D) Hemoglobin buffer system
✅ Solution:
The bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) buffer system maintains blood pH by neutralizing acids and bases.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Bicarbonate buffer system
8. What is the primary cause of hypoxemia in a patient with a large pulmonary
embolism?
A) Hypoventilation
B) Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch
C) Alveolar overdistension
D) Increased airway resistance
✅ Solution:
A pulmonary embolism creates a V/Q mismatch where ventilation is normal, but blood flow is
blocked, causing hypoxemia.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch
9. What is the most effective way to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia
(VAP)?
, A) Frequent suctioning
B) Routine use of antibiotics
C) Head-of-bed elevation and oral care
D) Prolonged intubation
✅ Solution:
Head-of-bed elevation (30-45°) and oral care reduce aspiration risk, the primary cause of
VAP.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Head-of-bed elevation and oral care
10. A patient presents with Kussmaul respirations. What is the most likely
underlying condition?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Pulmonary fibrosis
D) Neuromuscular disease
✅ Solution:
Kussmaul respirations (deep, rapid breathing) occur in metabolic acidosis, commonly seen in
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
✅ Correct Answer: B) Metabolic acidosis
11. What is the primary indication for a bronchodilator in respiratory therapy?
A) Decrease mucus production
B) Reduce inflammation
C) Relax airway smooth muscle
D) Increase lung compliance
✅ Solution:
Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol) relax smooth muscle in the airways, improving airflow in
conditions like asthma and COPD.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Relax airway smooth muscle
12. Which condition is characterized by a permanent enlargement of the alveoli and loss of
elastic recoil?
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
Sputum Bowl
1. What is the primary function of surfactant in the lungs?
A) Increases airway resistance
B) Reduces surface tension in alveoli
C) Enhances mucus production
D) Increases lung compliance
✅ Solution:
Surfactant is a lipoprotein that reduces surface tension in alveoli, preventing alveolar collapse
and improving lung compliance.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Reduces surface tension in alveoli
2. A patient with COPD is experiencing hypoxic drive. What is the primary
stimulus for breathing in this patient?
A) Increased CO₂ levels
B) Decreased oxygen levels
C) Increased lung compliance
D) Decreased lung volumes
✅ Solution:
In COPD patients, chronic CO₂ retention leads to a shift in respiratory drive from hypercapnia
(high CO₂) to hypoxia (low O₂).
✅ Correct Answer: B) Decreased oxygen levels
3. What is the normal value for arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO ₂) at sea
level?
A) 40-60 mmHg
B) 80-100 mmHg
,C) 120-140 mmHg
D) 60-80 mmHg
✅ Solution:
At sea level, normal PaO₂ ranges between 80-100 mmHg in a healthy individual breathing room
air.
✅ Correct Answer: B) 80-100 mmHg
4. What is the primary cause of respiratory acidosis?
A) Hyperventilation
B) Hypoventilation
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Increased bicarbonate excretion
✅ Solution:
Respiratory acidosis occurs due to hypoventilation, which leads to CO₂ retention and a
decrease in blood pH.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Hypoventilation
5. What lung volume remains in the lungs after maximal expiration?
A) Tidal volume
B) Expiratory reserve volume
C) Residual volume
D) Inspiratory reserve volume
✅ Solution:
Residual volume (RV) is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximum expiration
and prevents lung collapse.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Residual volume
6. What does a rightward shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicate?
A) Increased oxygen affinity
B) Decreased oxygen delivery
,C) Increased oxygen unloading at tissues
D) Respiratory alkalosis
✅ Solution:
A rightward shift means reduced hemoglobin affinity for oxygen, promoting oxygen
unloading in tissues.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Increased oxygen unloading at tissues
7. What is the primary buffer system in the blood?
A) Phosphate buffer system
B) Bicarbonate buffer system
C) Protein buffer system
D) Hemoglobin buffer system
✅ Solution:
The bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) buffer system maintains blood pH by neutralizing acids and bases.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Bicarbonate buffer system
8. What is the primary cause of hypoxemia in a patient with a large pulmonary
embolism?
A) Hypoventilation
B) Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch
C) Alveolar overdistension
D) Increased airway resistance
✅ Solution:
A pulmonary embolism creates a V/Q mismatch where ventilation is normal, but blood flow is
blocked, causing hypoxemia.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch
9. What is the most effective way to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia
(VAP)?
, A) Frequent suctioning
B) Routine use of antibiotics
C) Head-of-bed elevation and oral care
D) Prolonged intubation
✅ Solution:
Head-of-bed elevation (30-45°) and oral care reduce aspiration risk, the primary cause of
VAP.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Head-of-bed elevation and oral care
10. A patient presents with Kussmaul respirations. What is the most likely
underlying condition?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Pulmonary fibrosis
D) Neuromuscular disease
✅ Solution:
Kussmaul respirations (deep, rapid breathing) occur in metabolic acidosis, commonly seen in
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
✅ Correct Answer: B) Metabolic acidosis
11. What is the primary indication for a bronchodilator in respiratory therapy?
A) Decrease mucus production
B) Reduce inflammation
C) Relax airway smooth muscle
D) Increase lung compliance
✅ Solution:
Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol) relax smooth muscle in the airways, improving airflow in
conditions like asthma and COPD.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Relax airway smooth muscle
12. Which condition is characterized by a permanent enlargement of the alveoli and loss of
elastic recoil?
