A 4-year-old child aspirates a small plastic toy that becomes lodged in the intrathoracic portion of the trachea, creating a partial obstruction. During which phase of breathing will airway resistance be MOST pronounced?
Intrathoracic airway lesions, including foreign bodies below the thoracic inlet, are compressed by positive pleural pressure during expiration. This dynamic narrowing, combined with the ball-valve effect often produced by a tracheal foreign body, permits relatively easier inspiratory flow but impedes exhalation. Airway resistance therefore peaks during expiration, leading to air trapping, hyperinflation, and possible barotrauma. Inspiratory obstruction is more typical of extrathoracic lesions above the vocal cords; fixed obstructions may cause biphasic resistance.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is airway resistance and how is it measured?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What happens during an obstructive event in the trachea?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What are the signs of airway obstruction?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
BCEN CEN
Respiratory Emergencies
Your Score:
Report Issue
Bash, the Crucial Exams Chat Bot
AI Bot
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Nursing and Medical Assistants Package Join Premium for Full Access