Airway Resistance (PK3)

Question 1

Pathological factors increasing airway resistance of upper airways

Answer 1

• Intraluminal airway obstruction
• Aspiration of foreign material
• Regurgitation of gastric contents/blood
• Bronchospasm
• Mucus secretion
• Oedema
• Tongue falling back in sleep/unconsciousness

Question 2

Methods of clearing obstruction in airways

Answer 2

• Coughing
• Bronchoscopic removal
• Heimlich manoeuvre

Question 3

Pathological factors increasing airway resistance of lower airways

Answer 3

COPD

Question 4

What is bronchoconstriction caused by?

Answer 4

• Vagal parasympathetic activity
• Local chemical mediators (eg. histamines)
• Decreased airway CO2

Question 5

What is bronchodilation caused by?

Answer 5

• Activation of β2-adrenoreceptors by adrenaline or sympathomimetics
• Non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) innervation