Melvin Gartner has been admitted to the hospital with a diagonosis of pneumonia.
a. You note that the passages of his respiratory tract can become filled with mucus. What impact will this have on the effectiveness of his pulmonary ventilation? Explain.
b. He has also developed pulmonary edema, a condition in which fluid accumulates in and around the alveoli and increases surface tension. What impact will this have on the effectiveness of his pulmonary ventilation? Explain.
c. Mr. Gartner is given pulmonary function tests and the following values are obtain: tidal volume, 400mL; inspiratory reserve volume, 3050mL; expiratory reserve volume, 650mL. Calculate his inspiratory capacity and vital capacity. Are his values normal?