The pathology of your patient changes such that more secretions are produced and bronchospasm occurs. Airway caliber decreases by one-half. What happens to airway resistance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Poiseuille's law, airway resistance is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the radius (or diameter) of the airway. Therefore, if the airway caliber decreases by one-half, the resistance increases by 2^4, which equals 16 times.

The Pathology of Your Patient Changes Such That More Secretions