The diffusing capacity of a patient with coal worker's pneumoconiosis or silicosis would be expected to be:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis and silicosis are both forms of pneumoconiosis, diseases caused by the inhalation of dust, leading to fibrosis and scarring of the lung tissue. This scarring impairs the ability of oxygen to pass from the airways into the blood, resulting in a decreased diffusing capacity.

The Diffusing Capacity of a Patient with Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis