What is a resistive load in lung problems?
Increased resistance to airflow, e.g., in asthma due to decreased airway diameter.
What is a chest wall elastic load?
Conditions that compromise chest wall expansion and ventilation, e.g., obesity.
How can impaired respiratory drive affect breathing?
Rate of breathing decreases, e.g., in drug overdose.
How can impaired neurotransmission affect respiration?
Can lead to bulbar dysfunction, e.g., in motor neuron disease (MND).
How does muscle weakness affect respiration?
Causes fatigue and decreased ability to ventilate effectively, e.g., in neuromuscular disease (NMD)
What test can help differentiate respiratory problems due to neuromuscular weakness?
peak cough flow
What PCF value indicates the need to introduce assisted airway clearance strategies in a medically stable patient?
≤ 270 L/min.
