A Patient, Age 69, Has Emphysema

A patient, age 69, has emphysema. On assessing him, the nurse notes the presence of a "barrel chest." This pathology results from a(n)

A) increase in the lateromedial area from hypertrophy of mucous glands in the bronchi.
B) increased anteroposterior diameter caused by overinflation of the alveoli.
C) decrease in anteroposterior diameter caused by chronic dilation of the bronchi.
D) widening of the sternocostal area secondary to chronic constriction of smooth muscles in the airways leading to bronchospasms.