Which of the following statements is true regarding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
Lung damage caused by COPD is reversible
COPD refers only to chronic bronchitis
COPD affects only those of European descent
Smoking is the primary cause of COPD
The Correct Answer is D
A. Lung damage caused by COPD is reversible is incorrect because COPD involves chronic, progressive destruction of the airways and alveoli, particularly in emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While medications and interventions can manage symptoms and slow progression, the structural lung damage is irreversible.
B. COPD refers only to chronic bronchitis is incorrect because COPD is a broad term that encompasses multiple chronic lung conditions, primarily chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some patients may have features of both, and less commonly, COPD can be influenced by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
C. COPD affects only those of European descent is incorrect because COPD affects individuals worldwide regardless of ethnicity. While certain genetic factors (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) are more prevalent in some populations, the disease is not limited to European descent.
D. Smoking is the primary cause of COPD is correct because long-term cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor. Tobacco smoke causes chronic airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, ciliary dysfunction, and destruction of alveolar walls, leading to airflow limitation, impaired gas exchange, and progressive respiratory symptoms. Other contributing factors include environmental exposures (pollution, occupational dust), recurrent respiratory infections, and genetic susceptibility.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Air trapping in the lungs is correct because emphysema, a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), involves destruction of alveolar walls, loss of alveolar elasticity, and collapse of small airways during expiration. This prevents full expulsion of air, leading to hyperinflation of the lungs and air trapping, which reduces effective ventilation and contributes to dyspnea and decreased exercise tolerance.
B. Increased gas exchange in the alveoli is incorrect because emphysema reduces the surface area available for gas exchange due to alveolar destruction. This leads to hypoxemia and impaired oxygenation, rather than increased gas exchange.
C. Increased pulmonary ventilation is incorrect because although patients may increase respiratory rate to compensate for impaired gas exchange, overall ventilation efficiency is decreased due to air trapping, airflow limitation, and reduced elastic recoil.
D. Under-inflation of the lungs is incorrect because emphysematous lungs are often overinflated (hyperinflated) rather than under-inflated. Air trapping causes a barrel-shaped chest and increased residual lung volume, which is a classic physical sign of emphysema.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Asthma is incorrect because asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by bronchospasm, airway hyperreactivity, and mucus production, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough. It does not involve alveolar filling with fluid or exudate, so gas exchange is not directly impaired in the same way as pneumonia.
B. Emphysema is incorrect because emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in which alveolar walls are destroyed, causing enlarged air spaces and reduced surface area for gas exchange. While gas exchange is impaired, emphysema is not an acute infection and does not present with fever or productive cough from alveolar exudate.
C. Sinusitis is incorrect because sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, leading to facial pain, nasal congestion, and purulent nasal discharge. It does not directly affect the alveoli or oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs.
D. Pneumonia is correct because pneumonia is an infection of the lungs in which the alveoli become filled with fluid, pus, or cellular debris due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or other infectious agents. This alveolar filling impairs oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange, resulting in dyspnea, productive cough (often with sputum), fever, chills, and chest pain. Pneumonia can be community-acquired or hospital-acquired, and severity ranges from mild to life-threatening depending on the pathogen and the patient’s immune status.
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