Which of the following is a chronic condition that may require airway clearance therapy?

Cystic fibrosis is a chronic condition that has a profound impact on the respiratory system and often leads to the buildup of thick mucus in the airways, which can obstruct airflow and promote infections. Airway clearance therapy becomes an essential component of managing cystic fibrosis, as it helps in clearing the mucus from the lungs, thereby improving airflow and reducing the risk of pulmonary infections.

While bronchitis and asthma can also be chronic respiratory diseases, they don’t typically require the same level of specialized airway clearance therapy that cystic fibrosis does. Bronchitis often involves inflammation and might be managed with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications, rather than specific airway clearance techniques. Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and does not generally involve the thick mucus production seen in cystic fibrosis, making airway clearance therapies less relevant in its treatment regimen.

Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lungs and, although airway clearance might be a part of the recovery process, it is not classified as a chronic condition. Therefore, cystic fibrosis stands out as the condition that predominantly necessitates the use of airway clearance therapy on an ongoing basis.