Pulmonary agents are also called choking agents. They primarily affect which body system?

Pulmonary agents are also called choking agents. They primarily affect which body system?

• A. Digestive system.
• B. Nervous system.
• C. Respiratory system.
• D. Circulatory system.

Answer: (C)

Pulmonary (choking) agents target the lungs and airways. When inhaled, these agents irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and especially the lower airways, causing coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulty. They can trigger bronchospasm and, with higher exposure, damage the alveolar-capillary membrane leading to pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange. Because the primary danger from these agents is to the respiratory system, that is the correct focus. The other systems aren’t the primary targets: digestive system issues would come from ingestion, nervous system effects come from nerve agents, and circulatory system effects aren’t the defining immediate action of choking agents.

Pulmonary (choking) agents target the lungs and airways. When inhaled, these agents irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and especially the lower airways, causing coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulty. They can trigger bronchospasm and, with higher exposure, damage the alveolar-capillary membrane leading to pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange. Because the primary danger from these agents is to the respiratory system, that is the correct focus.

The other systems aren’t the primary targets: digestive system issues would come from ingestion, nervous system effects come from nerve agents, and circulatory system effects aren’t the defining immediate action of choking agents.