New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

What is the physical act of moving air into and out of the lungs called?

1. Diffusion

2. Ventilation

3. Respiration

4. Oxygenation

The correct answer is: Ventilation

The physical act of moving air into and out of the lungs is referred to as ventilation. This process includes inhalation (drawing air into the lungs) and exhalation (pushing air out of the lungs). Ventilation is a crucial component of the respiratory system, allowing for the exchange of gases—primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide—between the body and the environment. In contrast, respiration involves the biochemical processes that take place within cells where oxygen is used, and carbon dioxide is produced, but it does not refer specifically to the physical movement of air per se. Diffusion refers to the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration, which occurs in the lungs during gas exchange but is not the process of moving air. Oxygenation specifically refers to the process of adding oxygen to blood or tissues, which occurs after air has been ventilated into the lungs and not the act of moving air itself. Thus, knowing these distinctions clarifies why ventilation is the correct terminology for this physical action.