Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

Which factors can reduce breathing system resistance?

1. Increasing the length of the circuit

2. Using a narrower diameter circuit

3. Decreasing the circuit's length and maximizing laminar flow

4. Adding additional bends in the circuit

The correct answer is: Decreasing the circuit's length and maximizing laminar flow

Reducing breathing system resistance is essential in anesthesia, as it ensures that airflow is efficient and minimizes the work of breathing. The correct choice focuses on decreasing the circuit's length and maximizing laminar flow. Decreasing the length of the breathing circuit is beneficial because longer circuits create more resistance to airflow due to friction between the gas and the internal surface of the tubing. By reducing the length, you minimize this friction, allowing for easier airflow and thus lower resistance. Maximizing laminar flow also plays a crucial role. Laminar flow is defined as a smooth, orderly flow of gases, which causes less turbulence compared to turbulent flow. When airflow is laminar, the resistance is significantly lower because there are fewer interactions between the moving gas molecules. Therefore, optimizing conditions to favor laminar flow leads to better ventilation and reduced resistance in the breathing apparatus. In contrast, increasing the length of the circuit or using a narrower diameter would lead to increased resistance due to greater friction and turbulence. Similarly, adding additional bends in the circuit can also increase resistance as these bends can disturb the flow of gases, causing turbulence and further increasing resistance. Thus, the chosen answer emphasizes the importance of both reducing circuit length and enhancing flow characteristics to effectively reduce breathing system resistance.