What leads to V/Q mismatch in burn injuries?

Surfactant inactivation is the correct answer because burns, particularly those affecting the respiratory system, can lead to direct damage to the alveoli where surfactant is produced. Surfactant prevents the collapse of alveoli by reducing surface tension and plays a crucial role in maintaining alveolar stability. When surfactant is inactivated due to thermal injuries or inflammatory responses, it results in impaired gas exchange, ultimately leading to ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch.

In the case of burn injuries, such inactivation can cause regions of the lung to become less compliant, collapsing the alveoli and reducing airflow to those areas while the perfusion may still be intact. This disparity between ventilation and perfusion creates a situation where some parts of the lung are well perfused but poorly ventilated, or vice versa, hence leading to V/Q mismatch.

Hyperventilation can occur as a compensatory mechanism in response to hypoxia but doesn't directly create a mismatch. Acute pulmonary edema could arise from various factors, including fluid overload or inflammatory responses but is not a primary cause of V/Q mismatch in the context of surfactant inactivation. Similarly, respiratory muscle fatigue is typically a consequence of underlying respiratory issues rather than a direct cause of V/Q mismatch related to