Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Respirations consist of which of the following?

1. Intake and output

2. Inspiration and expiration

3. Systole and diastole

4. Dilation and contraction

The correct answer is: Inspiration and expiration

Respirations refer specifically to the processes of breathing, which include inspiration and expiration. Inspiration is the act of drawing air into the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream, while expiration is the process of expelling air from the lungs, allowing carbon dioxide to be removed from the body. This cycle is essential for maintaining proper gas exchange and overall respiratory function. In contrast, the other terms provided in the choices refer to different physiological processes. For instance, intake and output pertain to fluid balance in the body, measuring what is consumed versus what is excreted. Systole and diastole relate to the phases of the heartbeat, where systole refers to the contraction of the heart muscles and diastole refers to their relaxation. Dilation and contraction describe the changes in size of blood vessels or other structures, but they do not specifically apply to the mechanics of breathing. Each of these terms serves a distinct purpose within the broader study of human physiology, but only inspiration and expiration directly encompass the concept of respiration itself.