A female patient is requiring supplementary oxygen by face mask due to her reduced lung compliance. Which of the following pathophysiological processes is most likely a contributor to her low lung compliance?
A)
The woman's lungs have more recoil than a healthy person's.
B)
Her type II alveolar cells are producing a slight excess of surfactant.
C)
Turbulent airflow is taking place in the patient's large airways.
D)
Her thoracic cage is less flexible than when she was healthy.
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Impaired thoracic cage flexibility can be a contributor to reduced lung compliance. Increased recoil and a modest excess of surfactant would increase lung compliance, and turbulent flow in the airways is a normal, not pathological, finding.
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