What is the consequence of applying too much positive pressure to alveoli?

A. Refractory hypoxemia becomes corrected.
B. The pressure-volume relationships shift leftward.
C. Alveolar ventilation and perfusion decrease.
D. Alveolar and arterial PCO2 decrease.


?ANS: C
A. Incorrect response: See explanation C.
B. Incorrect response: See explanation C.
C. Correct response: In overdistended alveoli produced by excessively applied positive pressure, the pressure-volume relationships become flattened. Furthermore, because both ventilation and perfusion decrease in overdistended regions, ventilation–perfusion relationships fluctuate. Overdistention can also cause ventilator-induced lung damage, alveolar rupture, and biotrauma.
D. Incorrect response: See explanation C.

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