Lung elastance: E = ΔP/ΔV; If ΔP = 12 cmH2O and ΔV = 0.25 L, what is E?

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Multiple Choice

Lung elastance: E = ΔP/ΔV; If ΔP = 12 cmH2O and ΔV = 0.25 L, what is E?

Explanation:
Elastance reflects how stiff the respiratory system is: it’s the pressure required to produce a given change in volume, calculated as ΔP/ΔV. Here, a pressure change of 12 cmH2O produces a volume change of 0.25 L. Dividing 12 by 0.25 gives 48. The units are cmH2O per liter, so the elastance is 48 cmH2O/L. This means a relatively large pressure is needed for a small volume change, indicating a stiffer system.

Elastance reflects how stiff the respiratory system is: it’s the pressure required to produce a given change in volume, calculated as ΔP/ΔV. Here, a pressure change of 12 cmH2O produces a volume change of 0.25 L. Dividing 12 by 0.25 gives 48. The units are cmH2O per liter, so the elastance is 48 cmH2O/L. This means a relatively large pressure is needed for a small volume change, indicating a stiffer system.

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