Chapter 4, Problem 1CAQ3

Summary Introduction

To review:

The given blank space in the statement, “While the physician was treating the patient’s failing heart, the respiratory therapist worked to offset the patient’s poor oxygenation by increasing the patient’s ______, which is _____ of Fick’s law.”

Introduction:

In the given case, the patient suffers from pulmonary edema. This affected the thickness of alveolar space and capillary membrane thickness. The thickness of the membrane has increased. The increased thickness results in lowering the rate of diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the alveolar-capillary system. This is because according to Fick’s law, the thickness is indirectly related to the rate of diffusion.

Please refer to Clinical Application Case-1 for further information.