A newborn is in respiratory distress and requires ventilation. Tests reveal that he does not produce surfactant due to the absence of:
A) type I alveolar cells.
B) type II alveolar cells.
C) alveolar macrophages.
D) goblet cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Surfactant is produced by type II alveolar cells, which reduce surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse during expiration. The absence of surfactant can lead to respiratory distress syndrome in newborns.

A Newborn Is in Respiratory Distress and Requires Ventilation