Alveolar Gas Exchange is part of the The Respiratory System section of Physiology. Practise 17 exam-style MCQs for NEET PG, FMGE, INI-CET and NEET SS, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation.
Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, the alveolar gas equation, the 4.2 L/min alveolar ventilation figure and the causes of hypoxaemia with a normal A–a gradient headline these Alveolar Gas Exchange MCQs, which test gas exchange as high-yield NEET PG revision.
Sample Alveolar Gas Exchange MCQs with answers
Sample MCQ #1
Gas used to measure the diffusion capacity of lung
ACO
BNO
CCO 2
DNitrogen
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: A. CO
In clinical practice, carbon monoxide is the gas of choice for measuring diffusion capacity because it is the diffusion limited gas The procedure is called diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide or DLCO Reference: Ganong, 25th edition page no.639
A 56-year-old man presents to the Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain and a temperature of 103°F. The patient is in severe respiratory distress. Moderate amounts of pulmonary edema fluid are aspirated during suctioning. The patient is placed on a ventilator with an FIO2 of 0.5 and an arterial blood gas sample reveals a PO2 of 160 mmHg and a PCO2 of 40 mmHg. His alveolar oxygen tension, at a barometric pressure of 747 mmHg and a respiratory exchange ratio (R) of 0.8, is approximately what?
A100 mmHg
B200 mmHg
C300 mmHg
D400 mmHg
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: C. 300 mmHg
The alveolar oxygen tension is calculated using the modified alveolar gas equation: PAO2 = PIO2 - PaCO2/R. PAO2 = [0.5 x (747 - 47 mmHg)] - 40 mmHg/0.8 PAO2 = 350 mmHg - 50 mmHg = 300 mmHg Reference: Levitzky, pp 75, 262.
Sample MCQ #4
Gas exchange in tissues takes place at ?
AArtery
BCapillary
CVein
DVenules
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✓ Correct Answer: B. Capillary
Ans. B. Capillary Site of gas exchange = Capillaries
Sample MCQ #5
A pateint came with hypoxemia and a normal arterial alveolar oxygen gradient. What can be the cause
AHypoventilation
BRight to left shunt
CThickened basement membrane
DAlveolar membrane damage
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: A. Hypoventilation
Regional hypoventilation is the most common physiological factor for respiratory causes of hypoxemia(Reduced arterial PO2) and reflects a local ventilationperfusion imbalance resulting from a partially obstructed airway. Also hypoventilation leads to inadequate ventilation and fails to remove Alveolar CO2 from the pulmonary capillary blood leading to hypercapnia. So hypoventilation is the cause of both hypoxemia and hypercapnia.
Sample MCQ #6
What will occur with increase in alveolar ventilation rate
ADecreased partial pressure of O 2 in alveoli
BDecreased partial pressure of CO 2 in alveoli
CDecreased CO 2 diffusion from blood to alveoli
DDecreased O 2 diffusion from alveoli to blood
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: B. Decreased partial pressure of CO 2 in alveoli
Increase in alveolar ventilation washes out CO 2 - So, there is decreased partial pressure of CO 2 in alveoli Reference: Ganong, 25th edition page no.628
Sample MCQ #7
A 37-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with severe kyphoscoliosis. Over time, this anatomical distortion results in respiratory muscle weakness. Which of the following physiological variables will most likely be above normal in this patient?
ATotal lung capacity
BVital capacity
CChest wall compliance
DArterial carbon dioxide tension
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: D. Arterial carbon dioxide tension
Kyphoscoliosis is a deformity of the spine involving both lateral displacement (scoliosis) and anteroposterior angulation (kyphosis). Muscle weakness can produce inadequate ventilation, which can lead to an accumulation of carbon dioxide and a decrease in arterial pH (respiratory acidosis). Chest wall compliance is decreased, which manifests as a restrictive lung impairment characterized by a decrease in all lung volumes and capacities. Reference: Kasper et al., pp 203, 1556. Levitzky, pp 23,171-173. Stead et al., pp 255-257.
Sample MCQ #8
When gases flow through an orifice which factor is least likely to affect turbulence
ADensity of gas
BViscosity of gas
CPressure of gas
DDiameter of orifice
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: C. Pressure of gas
Whether the air flow is laminar or turbulent is determined by Reynolds number Reynolds number = pDV/η Where, p-Density of the gas D-Diameter of the airways V-Velocity of gas η- Viscosity of gas Pressure of gas is not in the formula for Reynolds number Reference: Ganong, 25th edition page no.629
What you can practise in Alveolar Gas Exchange
17 Alveolar Gas Exchange MCQs on The Respiratory System — each with detailed explanations
Previous-year question practice across NEET PG, FMGE, INI-CET and NEET SS
Progress and performance tracking to measure retention
Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, the alveolar gas equation, the 4.2 L/min alveolar ventilation figure and the causes of hypoxaemia with a normal A–a gradient headline these Alveolar Gas Exchange MCQs, which test gas exchange as high-yield NEET PG revision.
How many Alveolar Gas Exchange questions are there, and which exams do they cover?
MedLadder includes 17 curated MCQs for Alveolar Gas Exchange under Physiology (The Respiratory System), covering NEET PG, FMGE, INI-CET and NEET SS preparation.