Respiratory System | Mock Test | Staff Nurse | Guides Academy

Respiratory System - Structure and function of respiratory organs and characteristics of normal respiration and deviation

The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment. It includes organs such as the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. These structures work together to ensure the efficient intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide through the process of respiration. Normal respiration is rhythmic, effortless, and quiet, with a typical rate of 12–20 breaths per minute in adults. Deviations from normal respiration—such as dyspnea (difficulty breathing), tachypnea (rapid breathing), or apnea (absence of breathing)—can indicate underlying health issues and require medical attention.

Time: 15:00

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

[a] To circulate blood

[b] To exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the air and the blood

[c] To filter waste products from the blood

[d] To produce hormones that regulate growth

Which structure is commonly known as the "voice box"?

[a] Pharynx

[b] Trachea

[c] Larynx

[d] Esophagus

The large, dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that is the primary muscle of respiration is the:

[a] Intercostal muscle

[b] Pectoralis major

[c] Diaphragm

[d] Trapezius

The tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles where gas exchange occurs are called:

[a] Cilia

[b] Alveoli

[c] Surfactants

[d] Pleurae

Which statement accurately describes the lobes of the human lungs?

[a] The right lung has two lobes and the left lung has three lobes.

[b] The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes.

[c] Both lungs have two lobes.

[d] Both lungs have three lobes.

What is the role of the C-shaped cartilage rings in the trachea?

[a] To produce mucus

[b] To warm the incoming air

[c] To keep the airway open and prevent collapse

[d] To house the vocal cords

Which of the following is the correct pathway for air entering the lungs from the outside?

[a] Pharynx -> Larynx -> Trachea -> Bronchi -> Alveoli

[b] Larynx -> Trachea -> Pharynx -> Bronchi -> Alveoli

[c] Trachea -> Pharynx -> Larynx -> Bronchioles -> Alveoli

[d] Nasal Cavity -> Esophagus -> Trachea -> Bronchi -> Alveoli

What is the primary function of the epiglottis?

[a] To sense smells

[b] To produce sound

[c] To separate the left and right bronchi

[d] To prevent food and drink from entering the trachea

The substance secreted by cells in the alveoli that reduces surface tension and prevents them from collapsing is called:

[a] Mucus

[b] Surfactant

[c] Plasma

[d] Pleural fluid

What is the main purpose of the mucus and cilia found lining the trachea and bronchi?

[a] To exchange gases with the blood

[b] To produce surfactant

[c] To trap foreign particles and move them away from the lungs

[d] To contract and expand the airway diameter

The double-layered membrane that encloses and protects each lung is known as the:

[a] Pericardium

[b] Pleura

[c] Myocardium

[d] Diaphragm

Which structure serves as a passageway for both air and food?

[a] Trachea

[b] Larynx

[c] Pharynx

[d] Bronchus

What is the medical term for normal, quiet breathing?

[a] Dyspnea

[b] Eupnea

[c] Apnea

[d] Hyperpnea

The process of inhalation (breathing in) is an active process that involves:

[a] Relaxation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles

[b] Contraction of the diaphragm and relaxation of the intercostal muscles

[c] Contraction of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles

[d] Relaxation of the diaphragm and contraction of the external intercostal muscles

Which statement best describes normal, quiet exhalation?

[a] It is an active process requiring muscle contraction.

[b] It is a passive process due to the relaxation of respiratory muscles and elastic recoil.

[c] It requires the contraction of the abdominal muscles.

[d] It is controlled exclusively by the brainstem with no muscle involvement.

For a healthy adult at rest, a normal respiratory rate falls within which range?

[a] 5-10 breaths per minute

[b] 12-20 breaths per minute

[c] 25-30 breaths per minute

[d] 30-40 breaths per minute

What is the primary chemical stimulus in the blood that regulates the rate and depth of breathing?

[a] Oxygen levels

[b] Carbon dioxide levels

[c] Nitrogen levels

[d] Blood glucose levels

The term for a temporary cessation of breathing is:

[a] Tachypnea

[b] Bradypnea

[c] Apnea

[d] Orthopnea

A respiratory rate faster than normal for an adult at rest (>20 breaths/min) is known as:

[a] Bradypnea

[b] Eupnea

[c] Hypoxia

[d] Tachypnea

What does the term "dyspnea" refer to?

[a] A slow breathing rate

[b] A bluish discoloration of the skin

[c] A subjective feeling of difficult or labored breathing

[d] An abnormally deep, rapid breathing pattern

Cyanosis, a bluish tint to the skin, is a clinical sign of:

[a] High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood

[b] Insufficient oxygen in the blood (hypoxia)

[c] An infection in the lungs

[d] High blood pressure

The maximum volume of air a person can exhale after taking the deepest possible breath is called:

[a] Tidal Volume

[b] Residual Volume

[c] Vital Capacity

[d] Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Which condition is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, often triggered by allergens and causing wheezing?

[a] Pneumonia

[b] Asthma

[c] Emphysema

[d] Pulmonary Fibrosis

Bradypnea is a term used to describe:

[a] An abnormally slow breathing rate (<12 breaths/min)

[b] A complete lack of breathing

[c] An abnormally fast breathing rate

[d] Difficulty breathing while lying down

Emphysema, a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), primarily involves the destruction of which structures?

[a] The trachea's cartilage rings

[b] The ciliated cells in the bronchi

[c] The walls of the alveoli

[d] The pleural membrane