A 58-year-old man with emphysema has hyperinflated lungs. Which physiologic change explains this?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Decreased elastic recoil
Loss of elastic recoil in emphysema causes air trapping and hyperinflation. Compliance is increased, not decreased.
Keep practicing
More Respiratory Conditions questions
- A patient with severe asthma has normal DLCO. This finding supports the diagnosis because:
- A patient develops ARDS after sepsis. Which physiologic abnormality defines ARDS?
- A COPD patient retains CO₂ chronically. Which compensation is expected?
- A 34-year-old woman with asthma shows a reversible drop in FEV1 after methacholine challenge. Methacholine acts by:
- A 70-year-old smoker presents with dyspnea and pursed-lip breathing. Which mechanism improves his expiratory airflow?
- A patient with chronic bronchitis has secondary polycythemia. What is the cause?