Which of these body systems is involved in the removal of carbon dioxide?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (Shift-3)

Explanation

The primary function of the respiratory system is gas exchange, which involves taking in oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide.
During exhalation, carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product, is transferred from the blood to the air within the lungs and expelled from the body.
This process is essential for maintaining the body's acid-base (pH) balance.

Option B: The digestive system is responsible for processing food and eliminating solid, undigested waste as feces, not for removing gaseous waste like carbon dioxide.
Option C: The urinary system filters blood to remove metabolic wastes like urea, excess salts, and water to form urine. It does not excrete carbon dioxide.
Option D: The reproductive system's function is related to procreation and the production of hormones. It is not involved in the body's waste elimination processes.

Visual 1: Diagram - An illustration showing the process of gas exchange (O₂ and CO₂) between an alveolus and a capillary in the lung. This visualizes the exact site of CO₂ removal.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A flowchart tracing the path of a carbon dioxide molecule from a body cell, into the bloodstream, to the lungs, and finally out of the body during exhalation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Excretory functions of major body systems as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A critical nursing responsibility is to monitor a patient's respiratory status to ensure adequate removal of CO₂. An elevated level of CO₂ in the blood (hypercapnia) can lead to respiratory acidosis, a life-threatening condition.
Nurses assess respiratory rate, depth, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and may monitor arterial blood gas (ABG) results, which directly measure the amount of CO₂ in the blood (PaCO₂).
What if? If a patient has a chronic respiratory disease like COPD, their ability to effectively exhale CO₂ is impaired. This leads to chronically elevated CO₂ levels, and the nurse must monitor for signs of acute worsening, such as confusion, lethargy, or headache.

How to Approach the Question

Step 1: Identify the key substance in the question, which is 'carbon dioxide'.
Step 2: Identify the key process, which is 'removal' from the body.
Step 3: Recall the primary function of each body system listed in the options.
Step 4: Match the function to the substance. The respiratory system's function is gas exchange (breathing), which includes exhaling carbon dioxide.
Step 5: Eliminate the other systems based on their primary roles: digestion (solid waste), urinary (liquid waste), and reproduction (procreation).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QxTgPodAHSAjLd4n5FdOSE

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (Shift-3)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.