Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam 2026 - Free Sterile Processing Technician Practice Questions and Study Guide

The process of breathing is primarily focused on the exchange of gases in the body, specifically the removal of carbon dioxide. When we inhale, we bring in oxygen from the atmosphere into our lungs, where it is then transferred to the bloodstream and delivered to our cells for cellular respiration. During this process, cells utilize oxygen to produce energy and generate carbon dioxide as a waste product.

Breathing out (exhalation) is the body's mechanism for expelling this carbon dioxide, which is crucial for maintaining the proper acid-base balance in the blood and overall homeostasis. If carbon dioxide were to accumulate in the body, it could lead to respiratory acidosis and other complications.

While oxygen is vital for the functioning of body cells, it is the removal of carbon dioxide during the breathing process that is the primary focus, affirming why carbon dioxide is the correct answer in this scenario.