Q: During extubation weaning process, evaluation of abdominal muscles represents (Select one) 

A) Inspiratory muscles
B) Expiratory muscles
C)  Neither
D) A and B


Answer: B

Abdominal muscle reflects expiratory muscle strength. The most objective way is to measure gastric pressure, via gastric balloon catheter following maximal cough efforts. Gastric measurement is not a part of everyday ICU clinical practice but objective of above question is to highlight the role of abdominal muscles in the process of respiration specially to watch for these during weaning/extubation process.


Reference: 

Man WD, Kyroussis D, Fleming TA, et al. Cough gastric pressure and maximum expiratory mouth pressure in humans. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 168:714.