A 30-year-old man develops adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after near-drowning due to a boating accident. Conventional mechanical ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide (NO) do not provide sufficient oxygenation. The partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) ratio as well as shunt fraction (Qs/Qt) improve greatly after bronchial instillation of surfactant. The improvements in respiratory function occurred because surfactant decreased which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Surfactant decreases the work of breathing by reducing surface tension in the alveoli, which improves lung compliance and gas exchange, leading to better oxygenation and ventilation in conditions like ARDS.

A 30-Year-Old Man Develops Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) After