What happens to respiratory rate when oxygen demands increase?
It increases
It decreases
It remains the same
It stops
The Correct Answer is A
A. It increases: When oxygen demand rises, such as during exercise or metabolic stress, chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies and medulla detect lower oxygen levels and higher carbon dioxide levels. The respiratory center in the brainstem responds by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to enhance oxygen intake and carbon dioxide elimination, meeting the body’s metabolic needs.
B. It decreases: A decrease in respiratory rate would reduce oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal, worsening hypoxia and hypercapnia. This response is contrary to physiological needs during increased oxygen demand and would be maladaptive.
C. It remains the same: Maintaining a constant respiratory rate would be insufficient to meet elevated oxygen demands, leading to tissue hypoxia. The body naturally adjusts ventilation to match metabolic requirements rather than keeping it unchanged.
D. It stops: Complete cessation of breathing, or apnea, prevents oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal, which is life-threatening. The body automatically increases ventilation rather than stopping it when oxygen demand rises.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Correct answer: False
Asthma prevalence varies across different racial and ethnic groups. Epidemiological studies show that asthma is more prevalent among African American and Hispanic populations compared with Caucasian individuals. Factors such as genetics, environmental exposures, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare contribute to these differences. While asthma can affect people of any race, assuming it is most common in Caucasians is inaccurate. Public health data emphasize that minority populations often experience higher rates of asthma morbidity and mortality, highlighting the importance of targeted prevention and management strategies in these groups.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B"}
Explanation
A. Stops: A decrease in pneumotaxic output does not completely halt respiration. The pneumotaxic center modulates the rate and pattern of breathing, so reduced output affects pacing and depth but does not stop the respiratory drive, which is maintained by the medullary respiratory centers.
B. Slows: The pneumotaxic center in the pons regulates the transition between inspiration and expiration, effectively setting the respiratory rate. A decrease in its output prolongs inspiration, resulting in slower respiatory rate while simultaneously allowing greater lung expansion, which increases the depth of each breath.
C. Has no effect on: Reduced pneumotaxic activity does affect respiratory pattern. Without adequate pneumotaxic signaling, the switch from inhalation to exhalation is delayed, so breathing becomes slower and deeper, meaning the statement of “no effect” is inaccurate.
D. Speeds up: Increased pneumotaxic output would accelerate the respiratory rate, not a decrease. Therefore, slowing rather than speeding occurs when pneumotaxic output diminishes, allowing longer inspiratory phases and deeper breaths.
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