Question

Why is the work of breathing higher in infants compared to adults?

a. Increased lung compliance
b. Smaller airway resistance
c. Higher respiratory rate
d. Lower functional residual capacity

Answer 1

All the options

The work of breathing is higher in infants compared to adults due to increased lung compliance, smaller airway resistance, higher respiratory rate, and lower functional residual capacity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The work of breathing is higher in infants compared to adults due to multiple factors:

1. Infants have increased lung compliance, which means their lungs are more compliant and require more effort to breathe.
2. Infants have smaller airway resistance, making it harder for air to flow through their airways.
3. Infants have a higher respiratory rate, meaning they breathe faster than adults.
4. Infants have lower functional residual capacity, which is the volume of air left in the lungs after a normal exhalation.

These factors combined contribute to higher work of breathing in infants compared to adults.