EMT Emergency Care 68W Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

Exhalation is the correct term for the passive process that results in the expulsion of air from the lungs. This process primarily occurs when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, reducing the volume of the thoracic cavity, which pushes air out of the lungs.

During exhalation, carbon dioxide-rich air is expelled, completing the respiratory cycle that involves the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of waste gases. This passive process is essential for maintaining the body's gas exchange and ensuring that fresh oxygen enters the bloodstream while removing carbon dioxide.

In contrast, inhalation refers to the active process of taking air into the lungs, while ventilation encompasses both inhalation and exhalation as the overall movement of air in and out of the respiratory system. Respiration is a broader term that refers to the biochemical process of oxygen utilization and carbon dioxide production in cells, rather than the mechanics of air movement in the lungs.