Question

How would a spirometer tracing be different in a person with a collapsed lung? Why? What must occur to restore the respiratory function to normal?

A) The tracing shows increased tidal volume due to increased lung capacity. Restoring lung elasticity is necessary.
B) The tracing displays decreased tidal volume due to decreased lung capacity. Restoring lung elasticity is necessary.
C) The tracing exhibits irregular patterns due to increased airway resistance. Clearing airway blockages is necessary.
D) The tracing indicates rapid breathing rate due to bronchial constriction. Administering bronchodilators is necessary.

Answer 1

In a person with a collapsed lung, spirometry shows a decreased tidal volume due to decreased lung capacity. Getting lung elasticity back to normal is crucial to regain proper respiratory function.

Step-by-step explanation:

A spirometer tracing would be different in a person with a collapsed lung when compared to a healthy individual. Specifically, spirometry would show a decreased tidal volume due to decreased lung capacity. This is because a collapsed lung cannot fill with air properly, reducing the total amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled during each breath.

Restoring lung elasticity is essential to return respiratory function to normal. Lung elasticity allows the lungs to expand and contract efficiently during breathing. In diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, where the airways are less compliant and become stiff or fibrotic, the lung's ability to ventilate is compromised, and the forced vital capacity becomes substantially lower than in healthy individuals.

To correct a collapsed lung and restore normal respiratory function, medical intervention is required, which may include re-expanding the collapsed lung tissue and ensuring there is no air leak in the pleural space.