Which term describes complete, paroxysmal occlusion of the airway?

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Multiple Choice

Which term describes complete, paroxysmal occlusion of the airway?

The situation being tested is distinguishing states of airway compromise by whether air is moving. When the airway is completely blocked, there is no airflow into or out of the lungs. That absence of breathing is best described as respiratory arrest. It’s a complete cessation of respiratory effort, so there’s no ventilation happening. Other terms describe different conditions: respiration refers to the act of breathing in general; ventilation is the process of moving air in and out (often used when talking about providing breaths artificially); respiratory distress means work of breathing is increased and airflow is reduced but not completely stopped. Because the airway is fully and suddenly occluded, the defining problem is that breathing has stopped—that’s respiratory arrest.

The situation being tested is distinguishing states of airway compromise by whether air is moving. When the airway is completely blocked, there is no airflow into or out of the lungs. That absence of breathing is best described as respiratory arrest. It’s a complete cessation of respiratory effort, so there’s no ventilation happening.

Other terms describe different conditions: respiration refers to the act of breathing in general; ventilation is the process of moving air in and out (often used when talking about providing breaths artificially); respiratory distress means work of breathing is increased and airflow is reduced but not completely stopped. Because the airway is fully and suddenly occluded, the defining problem is that breathing has stopped—that’s respiratory arrest.

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