Which of the following best describes the changes seen in an infant's chest wall mechanics?
A) The healthy newborn has a very rigid chest wall.
B) The ribs are completely ossified at birth.
C) The infant's ribs are elliptical in shape.
D) The chest wall is very compliant but not very stable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The infant's chest wall is very compliant, meaning it is easily stretched and deformed. This allows for greater flexibility during breathing and adaptation to changes in lung volume. However, this also means that the chest wall is not very stable, making the infant more prone to respiratory distress and chest wall deformities such as flaring of the ribs. Additionally, the infant's ribs are oval in shape rather than circular, which also contributes to the increased compliance of the chest wall.

Which of the Following Best Describes the Changes Seen in an Infant's