Increased chest wall compliance can occur with which intervention?

Increased chest wall compliance can occur with which intervention?

• A. Morbid obesity
• B. Abdominal compartment syndrome
• C. Kyphoscoliosis
• D. Therapeutic muscle paralysis

Answer: (D)

The amount the chest wall can expand (compliance) is strongly influenced by active muscle tone. When respiratory muscles are paralyzed (therapeutic muscle paralysis), that active tension is removed, allowing the rib cage and chest wall to relax into a more passive, compliant state. With less muscle-driven resistance, a given pressure can produce more outward expansion, so chest wall compliance increases. In contrast, morbid obesity, abdominal compartment syndrome, and kyphoscoliosis all constrain the chest wall or diaphragm geometry, making the chest wall stiffer and less compliant.

The amount the chest wall can expand (compliance) is strongly influenced by active muscle tone. When respiratory muscles are paralyzed (therapeutic muscle paralysis), that active tension is removed, allowing the rib cage and chest wall to relax into a more passive, compliant state. With less muscle-driven resistance, a given pressure can produce more outward expansion, so chest wall compliance increases.

In contrast, morbid obesity, abdominal compartment syndrome, and kyphoscoliosis all constrain the chest wall or diaphragm geometry, making the chest wall stiffer and less compliant.