Work of Breathing is described as which of the following?

• A. A fixed volume of air inspired with each breath.
• B. A common term used to express extra respiratory effort in a variety of pulmonary conditions.
• C. The oxygen content of inhaled air.
• D. The rate at which the heart beats.

Answer: (B)

Work of breathing is the energy the respiratory muscles must expend to move air in and out, especially when the airways are narrowed or the lungs are stiffer. In many lung conditions, the effort required to breathe rises because resistance is higher or compliance is reduced, so clinicians talk about an increased work of breathing to describe this extra respiratory effort. That’s why the best description is that it’s a common term for the extra effort required to breathe across various pulmonary conditions. The other statements refer to a fixed tidal volume, the oxygen content of inhaled air, and heart rate, none of which define work of breathing.