Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care Practice Test 2026 - Free Respiratory Care Practice Questions and Study Guide

Airway clearance techniques in cystic fibrosis are used to move and remove thick mucus from the airways to open up the air passages and improve ventilation. When mucus is effectively cleared, airflow to the lungs improves, gas exchange is better, and the risk of mucus plugging, atelectasis, and bacterial buildup decreases. This directly addresses the main lung problem in CF—viscous secretions that obstruct airways due to the CFTR defect. They do not cure the disease, and while they help manage symptoms and protect lung function, they don’t eliminate the genetic condition. They also aren’t aimed at reducing airway hyperresponsiveness, which is more typical of asthma, nor do they replace antibiotics; antibiotics treat infections that can follow mucus buildup, whereas ACTs aid in clearance to prevent or mitigate those infections and are used alongside medical therapies.