A 53-year-old male with a 20-year history of smoking is diagnosed with emphysema. His airways are obstructed because of:
A) excessive mucus production.
B) loss of elastic recoil.
C) infection and inflammation.
D) airway edema.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls, resulting in loss of elastic recoil. This leads to the obstruction of airways and difficulty in breathing. Excessive mucus production, infection and inflammation, as well as airway edema can also contribute to airway obstruction, but loss of elastic recoil is the primary mechanism in emphysema.

A 53-Year-Old Male with a 20-Year History of Smoking Is