chapter 1

Question 1

describe the primary functions of the upper airways and explain why they are essential for respiratory health

Answer 1

*first line of defense
*warm
*humidify
*filter inspired gas

Question 2

why is the nose considered more efficient at filtering and humidifying air compared to breathing through the mouth

Answer 2

nose: warms humidify and filter out large particles

mouth: reduces humidity and air filtration, increasing dry irritated airways

Question 3

explain the difference between ventilation and respiration

Answer 3

ventilation: process of moving gas into and out of lungs

respiration:process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 4

what is the role of the larynx in protecting the airway, and how does it function during swallowing?

Answer 4

*helps maintain open airway
*acts as a valve by closing off during swallowing
* prevents food or liquids from entering trachea and lungs

Question 5

describe how mucociliary clearance system works and why it is important for lung health

Answer 5

*traps and removes foreign particles from respiratory trach
*cilia and mucus work together to clear the airway

Question 6

how does smoking affect the mucociliary clearance system?

Answer 6

*damages cilia reducing ability to move mucus
*mucus build up
*increase risk of infection

Question 7

why is surfactant important for alveolar function, and which cells produce it

Answer 7

*substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli
*prevents alveoli from collapsing

alveolar type 2 cells

Question 8

what role do the pharyngeal reflexes play in protecting the airway, and what happens when they are impaired

Answer 8

gag and swallowing: help protect lungs from foreign material

impaired:higher risk at aspirating food and liquids into lungs: aspiration pneumonia

Question 9

explain why the glottis is considered the narrowest part of the adult upper airway and its significance

Answer 9

regulates air flow into & out of lungs
-normal breathing: vocal cords open allowing air to pass freely
-swallowing: close to protect from aspirations

Question 10

how does the structure of the conducting airways differ from the respiratory zone,and what is their respective roles

Answer 10

conducting airway: transport air but dont engage in gas exchange

respiratory zone- gas exchange occurs

Question 11

why is artificial humidification necessary for patients with endotracheal tubes, and what can happen without it

Answer 11

prevent drying out the secretions and upper airway obstructions

Question 11

describe how alveolar macrophages contribute to lung defense

Answer 11

engulf & remove debris pathogens

Question 12

why are patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prone to air trapping

Answer 12

inflammation or obstruction

Question 13

explain the significance of the alveolar-capillary membrane thickness for gas exchange

Answer 13

*thin structure allows efficient gas exchange
*any increase in thickness of membrane can hinder transfer of oxygen&carbon dioxide

Question 14

how does obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affect airflow, and what is a common treatment

Answer 14

repeated episodes of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway during sleep

common treatment- CPAP- improves oxygenation and reduces apnea episodes

Question 15

describe the function of the epiglottis during swallowing

Answer 15

moves to cover glottis ensuring that food or liquid doesnt enter the trachea

Question 16

why is the right mainstem bronchus more likely to be the site of aspiration

Answer 16

wider and more vertical than left

Question 17

how do the turbinates in the nasal cavity contribute to the process of air conditioning

Answer 17

increase surface area, enhancing nose to filter out particles & humidify air

Question 18

what happens to inspired air by the time it reaches the isothermic saturation boundary in the respiratory tract

Answer 18

air is 100% saturated w/ water vapor and warmed to body temp 37*C

Question 19

explain why premature infants are at risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Answer 19

lack of surfactant
alveoli collapse making it difficult to breathe

Question 20

why is it important for the trachea to have cartilaginous rings, and why are they incomplete at the back

Answer 20

*maintain open airway
*provides structure and support
open in back-because expansion of esophagus during swallowing

Question 21

what is the role of the alveolar pores (pores of Kohn) in the lungs

Answer 21

connect adjacent alveoli w/ another to receive ventilation even when obstructed airways

Question 22

how does bronchospasm effect airway resistance, and what might cause it

Answer 22

smooth muscle contractions close or narrow bronchioles
(asthma) airway muscles constrict in response to allergens, cold air and exercise

Question 23

explain why patients w/ chronic bronchitis often produce excessive amounts of mucus

Answer 23

*over production of mucus,exposed to years of inflammation and irritants
*thick secretions hard to clear
*results in airway obstruction
* cilia function impaired

Question 24

why is coughing an important defense mechanism for the respiratory system, and what happens if this relex is impaired

Answer 24

keeps lungs clear of secretions -mucus build up

Question 25

how does the presence of fluid in the alveoli affect gas exchange, as seen in conditions like pulmonary edema?

Answer 25

fluid build up in alveoli reduces effective gas exchange, leaks into capillaries, creates barrier to gas exchange, leads to hypoxemia

Question 26

describe how asthma affects the bronchioles and the impact of airflow

Answer 26

becomes inflamed & constricted leading to airflow limitation

Question 27

why are alveoli well-suited for efficient gas exchange

Answer 27

high surface area, thin barrier, close relationship w/ capillaries

Question 28

explain the significance of airway resistance and how it changes as air moves deep into the lungs

Answer 28

upper airway more resistance, cross sectional area increase further down decrease resistance in lower airways

Question 29

why is it important to maintain proper humidification when using mechanical ventilation

Answer 29

prevents mucus plugging and airway obstruction

Question 30

how do conditions like pneumonia affect alveolar gas exchange

Answer 30

fill w/ inflammatory fluid, prevents oxygen from reaching the blood

Question 31

describe why the right lung has three lobes, while the left lung only has two

Answer 31

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Question 32

what are the main factors that contribute to increased airway resistance in patient with asthma

Answer 32

*smooth muscle contractions *mucus membrane swelling *increase mucus production ----

Question 33

how do artificial airways, such as endotracheal tubes, affect a patients ability to generate a cough

Answer 33

glottis stays open, make it difficult to clear secretions effectively natural cough mechanism is compromised ----

Question 34

why is it crucial for respiratory therapist to monitor patients with chronic lung conditions for changes in sputum color and consistency

Answer 34

indicate severity & cause of inflammation & infection in airway -----

Answer 36

prevent drying out the secretions and upper airway obstructions -------