NBRC Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology 2

Question 1

The functional residual capacity (FRC) is the sum of which two lung volumes?

Accepted Answer

Expiratory reserve volume and residual volume

Answer

FRC equals expiratory reserve volume (ERV) plus residual volume (RV), representing the lung volume remaining after a passive exhalation.

Question 2

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) serves to:

Accepted Answer

Divert blood away from poorly ventilated alveoli

Answer

HPV redirects pulmonary blood flow away from hypoxic lung segments to better-ventilated areas, optimizing V/Q matching.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes anatomical dead space?

Accepted Answer

Conducting airways that do not participate in gas exchange

Answer

Anatomical dead space comprises the conducting airways (nose, trachea, bronchi) where no gas exchange occurs, roughly 150 mL in adults.

Question 4

Surfactant is produced by which cell type?

Accepted Answer

Type II pneumocytes

Answer

Type II pneumocytes synthesize and secrete pulmonary surfactant, which reduces alveolar surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.

Question 5

A patient has a V/Q ratio of zero. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

Intrapulmonary shunt

Answer

A V/Q ratio of zero means there is perfusion but no ventilation, which constitutes a true intrapulmonary shunt.

NBRC - National Board for Respiratory Care Practice Test