Final answer:
Peak pressure during mechanical ventilation is determined by lung compliance and airway resistance. Resistance relates to the airway size and gas flow, while compliance is the ability of the lungs to stretch. Surface tension within the alveoli also influences pressure, moderated by pulmonary surfactant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The determinants of peak pressure during mechanical ventilation are influenced by a range of factors, primarily including lung compliance and airway resistance. Resistance is affected by the airway size and can slow down gas flow, influenced by the equation F = AP/R, where F is the flow, AP is the pressure difference and R is the resistance. Compliance is the ability of the lungs to stretch, and higher lung compliance results in a greater lung volume, which in turn lowers the air pressure within the lungs. Additionally, surface tension within the alveoli, which is mitigated by the presence of pulmonary surfactant, influences pressure as it opposes the expansion of the alveoli.