Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

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

Answer: Expiratory reserve volume and residual volume

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

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) serves to:

Answer: Divert blood away from poorly ventilated alveoli

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

Which of the following best describes anatomical dead space?

Answer: Conducting airways that do not participate in gas exchange

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

Surfactant is produced by which cell type?

Answer: Type II pneumocytes

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

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

Answer: Intrapulmonary shunt

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

The normal arterial pH range is:

Answer: 7.35–7.45

Arterial blood pH is normally maintained between 7.35 and 7.45 by respiratory and renal buffering mechanisms.