A 40-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 5-month history of gradually worsening shortness of breath. His pulse is 72/min, blood pressure is 135/75 mm Hg, and respirations are 20/min. The patient does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. His father died due to liver disease. Examination shows an increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest. Laboratory results are as follows: Diminished breath sounds are heard on auscultation of the chest. Which of the following pulmonary function test patterns is most likely to be present in this patient?

Question

A 40-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 5-month history of gradually worsening shortness of breath. His pulse is 72/min, blood pressure is 135/75 mm Hg, and respirations are 20/min. The patient does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. His father died due to liver disease. Examination shows an increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest. Laboratory results are as follows:  Diminished breath sounds are heard on auscultation of the chest. Which of the following pulmonary function test patterns is most likely to be present in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Emphysema most commonly results from chronic smoking but can also occur in genetically predisposed individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.  Patients with emphysema have a decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio, increased total lung capacity, and decreased diffusing capacity.

A 40-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician Because of a 5-Month