Pathologies and compliance/resistance

Question 1

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Asthma?

Answer 1

• Compliance: Usually normal in mild cases but can decrease if severe air trapping develops.
• Airway Resistance: Increased due to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production.

Question 2

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in COPD?

Answer 2

• Compliance: Often increased due to loss of elastic recoil (especially in emphysema) aka floppy
• Airway Resistance: Increased due to airway narrowing, inflammation, and mucus production.

Question 3

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Pulmonary Embolism (PE)?

Answer 3

• Compliance: May be normal initially but can decrease if hypoxemia and infarction develop.
• Airway Resistance: Generally normal (no direct airway involvement), though may increase slightly due to hypoxic vasoconstriction or secondary bronchoconstriction.

Question 4

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Pulmonary Edema?

Answer 4

• Compliance: Decreased due to fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which stiffens lung tissue.
• Airway Resistance: Generally normal but can increase if edema causes bronchial narrowing.

Question 5

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Answer 5

• Compliance: Generally normal in the lungs, but total respiratory compliance is reduced due to weakness in chest wall muscles.
• Airway Resistance: Normal, unless there is an increased risk of atelectasis due to hypoventilation.

Question 6

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in smoke/thermal injuries?

Answer 6

• Compliance: Decreased due to damage to lung tissue and alveolar edema.
• Airway Resistance: Increased due to airway inflammation, edema, and possible soot deposition.

Question 7

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in ARDS?

Answer 7

• Compliance: Severely decreased due to alveolar damage, inflammation, and fluid accumulation.
• Airway Resistance: Typically normal, but may increase if airways become inflamed or narrow.

Question 8

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Pneumothorax?

Answer 8

• Compliance: Decreased on the affected side due to lung collapse.
• Airway Resistance: Normal in the unaffected lung but high in the collapsed area (no ventilation).

Question 9

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Kyphoscoliosis?

Answer 9

• Compliance: Decreased total respiratory compliance due to restricted chest wall movement.
• Airway Resistance: Generally normal unless secondary airway obstruction develops from restricted lung volumes.

Question 10

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Pneumonia?

Answer 10

• Compliance: Decreased due to alveolar filling with exudate.
• Airway Resistance: Can be increased if pneumonia causes airway inflammation or mucus production.

Question 11

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Bronchiectasis?

Answer 11

• Compliance: May be decreased in severe cases due to scar tissue formation.
• Airway Resistance: Increased due to airway dilation, thickened walls, and mucus plugging.

Question 12

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Cystic Fibrosis?

Answer 12

• Compliance: May be decreased over time due to scarring and chronic infection.
• Airway Resistance: Increased due to thick, sticky mucus obstructing airways.

Question 13

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in Tuberculosis (TB)?

Answer 13

• Compliance: Decreased in affected areas due to granuloma formation and scarring.
• Airway Resistance: May increase if TB affects larger airways or causes bronchial stenosis.

Question 14

What happens to lung compliance and resistance in lung abscess?

Answer 14

• Compliance: Decreased due to consolidation and localized infection.
• Airway Resistance: Increased if abscess leads to surrounding inflammation, mucus production, or airway compression.