What condition is the most likely cause of a barrel chest?
Chronic alveolar distention
Chronic costochondritis
Smoking
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is A
A. Chronic alveolar distention, often seen in conditions like emphysema, leads to the enlargement of the alveoli and results in a barrel-shaped chest. This is due to the loss of elasticity in the lungs, causing air trapping and an increased anterior-posterior diameter of the chest.
B. Chronic costochondritis causes inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and sternum, leading to localized pain but not a barrel chest.
C. Smoking is a major risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can lead to chronic alveolar distention and a barrel chest, but smoking alone is not the direct cause of the chest shape.
D. Hypokalemia affects muscle function, including the muscles involved in respiration, but it does not directly cause a barrel chest.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is the most common cause of a barrel chest. It occurs due to the destruction of the alveoli, leading to air trapping and overinflation of the lungs, which causes the chest to take on a rounded, barrel-like appearance.
B. Pneumonia typically causes acute symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, but it does not cause the chronic lung changes that result in a barrel chest.
C. Tuberculosis can cause lung damage, but it does not typically result in the barrel chest shape. It is more associated with symptoms like cough, hemoptysis, and weight loss.
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute condition involving rapid onset of severe respiratory distress, often due to trauma or infection. It does not cause the chronic structural changes seen in a barrel chest.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), serum bicarbonate is typically decreased, not increased. The decrease is due to metabolic acidosis resulting from the accumulation of ketones.
B. Serum potassium is often elevated in DKA initially due to the shift of potassium from inside the cells to the bloodstream as a result of acidosis. However, potassium levels may drop with treatment, especially with insulin administration, which drives potassium back into cells.
C. Urine pH in DKA is often acidic due to the presence of ketones, which are acidic byproducts of fat metabolism. A urine pH of 4.0 indicates aciduria, which is consistent with ketoacidosis.
D. Serum pH in DKA is typically low (below 7.35), indicating acidosis. A serum pH of 7.5 would suggest alkalosis, which is not typical of DKA.
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