Pilbeam's Mechanical Ventilation Practice Exam

The exchange of gases between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries is referred to as external respiration. This process involves the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli into the blood within the capillaries and the movement of carbon dioxide from the blood into the alveoli. External respiration is fundamentally about the interaction between the respiratory system and the circulatory system in facilitating the exchange of gases required for cellular function.

In contrast, internal respiration, which is not the correct choice, occurs at the cellular level where oxygen is used by cells to generate energy and carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. Cellular respiration is a biochemical process involving the mitochondria of cells and is distinct from gas exchange. Ventilation refers to the mechanical process of moving air in and out of the lungs, primarily through inhalation and exhalation, and does not encompass the actual gas exchange occurring in the alveoli and capillaries. Hence, the correct choice accurately identifies the specific exchange process relevant in the question.