Which of the following is an airway clearance technique used in CF?

Which of the following is an airway clearance technique used in CF?

• A. Chest physiotherapy
• B. Antihistamines
• C. Beta-blockers
• D. Inhaled steroids

Answer: (A)

Airway clearance relies on methods that physically move thick mucus out of the airways. Chest physiotherapy is a primary technique for this in cystic fibrosis. It combines manual chest percussion or vibration with postural drainage to reposition the lungs and loosen secretions so they can be coughed up. In CF, thick, sticky mucus clogs airways because of the defective CFTR, so helping patients mobilize and clear that mucus improves ventilation and reduces infection risk. This technique is often used daily and may be paired with other devices or breathing exercises to enhance mucus clearance. The other options don’t serve as airway clearance techniques. Antihistamines address allergic symptoms rather than mucus clearance. Beta-blockers are cardiovascular meds that don’t aid in removing airway secretions and can affect bronchial function. Inhaled steroids reduce airway inflammation but do not directly clear mucus from the airways.

Airway clearance relies on methods that physically move thick mucus out of the airways. Chest physiotherapy is a primary technique for this in cystic fibrosis. It combines manual chest percussion or vibration with postural drainage to reposition the lungs and loosen secretions so they can be coughed up. In CF, thick, sticky mucus clogs airways because of the defective CFTR, so helping patients mobilize and clear that mucus improves ventilation and reduces infection risk. This technique is often used daily and may be paired with other devices or breathing exercises to enhance mucus clearance.

The other options don’t serve as airway clearance techniques. Antihistamines address allergic symptoms rather than mucus clearance. Beta-blockers are cardiovascular meds that don’t aid in removing airway secretions and can affect bronchial function. Inhaled steroids reduce airway inflammation but do not directly clear mucus from the airways.