Question

What is tidal volume? Find out the tidal volume (approximate value) for a healthy human in an hour time?

Answer 1

Hint: The term is related to air displaced during breathing. Also, the tidal volume for 1 minute is known. So, if we multiply it by 60 because 1 hour has 60 minutes, we will get the tidal volume of the adult for an hour.

Step by step answer:
Tidal volume is the measure of the volume of the lung representing the usual volume of air which is displaced between normal inhalation and exhalation of air when extra effort is not applied. It is denoted by $$V_T$$ or $$TV$$. It is measured in milliliters. Tidal volume plays an important role during mechanical ventilation in order to ensure proper ventilation without causing trauma or harm to the lungs.
-In a healthy, young human adult, the tidal volume is estimated to be 6000 to 8000 millimeters per minute. For an hour, it will be $$\left(6000to8000\right)\times 60$$ because 1 hour has 60 minutes. This results in 360000 to 480000 milliliters.
-The formula to calculate tidal volume for males is $$50kg+2.3\left(h-50\right)$$ where $$h$$ is the height of the male in inches. The formula to calculate tidal volume for females if $$45.5kg+2.3\left(h-50\right)$$ where $$h$$ is the height of the female in inches.
-Measurement of tidal volume is affected by leaks in the breathing circuit. This causes over-estimation of the tidal volume. The value of the tidal volume is also affected by the introduction of additional gas like nebulized drugs.
-Tidal volume increases during exercise. This is because more oxygen is required by the body and more carbon dioxide leaves the lungs.
-Hence, Tidal volume is the measure of the volume of the lung representing the usual volume of air which is displaced between normal inhalation and exhalation of air, and 360000 to 480000 milliliters per hour is the tidal volume for a healthy person.

Note: The mechanical ventilation is the treatment provided to help a person to respire when they find it difficult to breathe or are not able to breathe on their own. A mechanical ventilator forces the airflow into the lungs of the patients to help them breathe.