QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Incorrect - Increased inspiratory capacity and tidal volume, and decreased residual volume result in expiratory reserve volume becoming decreased during pregnancy.
10008317
c
Expiratory Reserve Volume
QuestionChoice
Incorrect - Elevation of the diaphragm decreases the total capacity of the lungs during pregnancy.
10008319
e
Total Capacity
QuestionChoice
Incorrect - Increased lung expansion, engorgement of the respiratory mucosa, and an elevated diaphragm all contribute to a decrease, rather than an increase, in functional residual capacity during pregnancy.
10008316
b
Functional Residual Capacity
QuestionChoice
Incorrect - Elevation of the diaphragm and decreased total lung capacity contribute to a decrease in residual volume during pregnancy.
10008318
d
Residual Volume
QuestionChoice
Correct - Tidal volume, or the amount of air that passes in or out of the lungs with each breath, is expected to increase during pregnancy. This helps to compensate for the decreased residual volume and functional residual capacity. Vital capacity also increases slightly in late pregnancy due to decreased residual volume.
10008315
a
Tidal Volume
Concept
Chapter
2693
4212
Lung volumes
Topic
150
Respiratory physiology
14210
A 28-year-old woman who is 32 weeks pregnant presents to her GP. She has been experiencing gradually worsening shortness of breath on exertion throughout her pregnancy and has noticed that her breathing rate has increased. However, on assessment, her observations are all within the normal limits given her current stage of pregnancy.

Which of the following lung volumes increase during late pregnancy?
a