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  4. If alveolar ventilation is 4200 mL/min, respiratory frequency is 12 breaths per minute, and tidal volume is 500 mL, what is the anatomical-dead-space ventilation?

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Q. If alveolar ventilation is $4200\, mL/min$, respiratory frequency is $12$ breaths per minute, and tidal volume is $500\, mL$, what is the anatomical-dead-space ventilation?

Breathing and Exchange of Gases

Solution:

Total minute ventilation is comprised of dead space plus alveolar ventilation. Minute ventilation is respiratory frequency ($12$ breaths per minute) multiplied by tidal volume $(500\, mL$/breath) $= 6000\, mL/min$. Subtract alveolar ventilation $(4200\, mL/min)$ from that i.e., $6000 - 4200 = 1800\, mL/min$.