Which of the following statements about lung ventilation isa

Which of the following statements about lung ventilation is(are) correct?

a) Tachypnea (rapid breathing) can result in a normal minute ventilation (VE) but no alveolar ventilation (VA)

b) VA will always be lower than VE

c) VA will always be greater than VE during eupnea (normal breathing)

d) Both a. and b. are correct

Solution

d) Both a. and b. are correct .

Tachypnea (rapid breathing) can result in a normal minute ventilation (VE) but no alveolar ventilation (VA)and VA will always be lower than VE as tachypnea increases the respiratory rate to maintaintain a small tidal volume which is not sufficient to maintain adequate alveolar ventilation resulting in an increase in Pa CO2