What is the purpose of surfactant?

Prepare for the Paramedic Readiness Exam 4 with our engaging quiz. Hone your skills with targeted questions, hints, and in-depth explanations. Excel on your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of surfactant?

Surfactant lowers surface tension inside the alveoli, which reduces the pressure required to keep tiny alveoli open as air moves in and out. Because smaller alveoli would otherwise need more pressure to stay inflated, reducing surface tension minimizes the tendency for collapse and thus lessens the mechanical stress on the walls. In practical terms, surfactant relieves the load on the alveolar walls by making it easier for the lungs to stay expanded, especially during exhalation, and it also lowers the work of breathing overall. It does not increase surface tension, decrease mucus production, or enlarge the alveolar sacs.

Surfactant lowers surface tension inside the alveoli, which reduces the pressure required to keep tiny alveoli open as air moves in and out. Because smaller alveoli would otherwise need more pressure to stay inflated, reducing surface tension minimizes the tendency for collapse and thus lessens the mechanical stress on the walls. In practical terms, surfactant relieves the load on the alveolar walls by making it easier for the lungs to stay expanded, especially during exhalation, and it also lowers the work of breathing overall. It does not increase surface tension, decrease mucus production, or enlarge the alveolar sacs.

More practice questions