COPD and Emphysema: Respiratory Disorders

Questions and Answers

Abnormal, permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles

All of the above

Combination of history, physical findings, chest radiographs, and PFTs

Airway collapse from loss of radial traction Signup and view all the answers

Typically overweight Signup and view all the answers

Persistently narrowed airways Signup and view all the answers

Removal of the etiologic factor, such as cigarette smoke Signup and view all the answers

Cyanosis Signup and view all the answers

Cigarette smoking, air pollution, and certain occupations Signup and view all the answers

A set of respiratory disorders that present with increasing resistance to airflow Signup and view all the answers

Decreased FEV1 Signup and view all the answers

Impaired exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

Dyspnea and chronic cough with excessive sputum Signup and view all the answers

Increased resistance to airflow Signup and view all the answers

Mobilize secretions Signup and view all the answers

Graded aerobic exercise Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A set of respiratory disorders characterized by increasing resistance to airflow
Major obstructive lung diseases include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma

Characterized by abnormal, permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles
Destruction of alveolar walls without obvious fibrosis
Causes: cigarette smoking, air pollution, and certain occupations
Pathogenesis: alveolar destruction caused by release of inflammatory proteolytic enzymes
Clinical manifestations: dyspnea, weight loss, use of accessory muscles to breathe, flat diaphragm, barrel chest

Characterized by excessive secretion of bronchial mucus
Manifested by productive cough for 3 months or more in at least 2 consecutive years
Causes: cigarette smoking, repeated viral or bacterial infections, genetic predisposition, inhalation of physical or chemical irritants
Pathogenesis: persistently narrowed airways due to chronic inflammation, scarring, and excessive mucus production
Clinical manifestations: dyspnea, chronic cough with excessive sputum, cyanosis, edema, and signs of cor pulmonale

Diagnosis based on history, physical findings, chest radiographs, arterial blood gas analyses, echocardiogram, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Classic PFT findings: decreased FEV1, low FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio, increased residual volume, and increased functional residual capacity
Treatment implications: removal of etiologic factor, bronchodilator therapy, bronchial hygiene, graded aerobic exercise, respiratory rehabilitation, proper nutrition, and low-dose supplemental oxygen