In the term cardiopulmonary, what does pulmonary refer to?

• A. Lips
• B. Legs
• C. Heart
• D. Lungs

Answer: (D)

Pulmonary refers to the lungs, the organs where blood is oxygenated and carbon dioxide is released. In the term cardiopulmonary, the two parts describe the systems involved in circulating blood through the heart and lungs. The lungs receive blood from the heart and send it back after gas exchange, which is why pulmonary is tied to the lungs. Lips or legs aren’t related to this term, and the heart itself is what cardio covers. So the correct focus is the lungs.