You are called to attend to an ER patient complaining of shortness of breath and severe dyspnea on exertion. Patient history is significant for a 30-year-pack smoking history, dry nonproductive cough, and occasional pedal edema. CXR findings are not remarkable except for mild cardiomegaly. You want to rule out ILD versus obstructive lung disease. Which of the following tests may help you to differentiate the diagnosis on this patient?
1) Sputum culture and sensitivity
2) High-resolution CT
3) Pulmonary function testing
4) Arterial blood gas analysis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

High-resolution CT (HRCT) is useful for identifying interstitial lung disease (ILD) by showing detailed images of the lung parenchyma. Pulmonary function testing can differentiate between obstructive and restrictive patterns, which helps distinguish obstructive lung disease from ILD. Arterial blood gas analysis can provide information on the patient's oxygenation and ventilation status, which may be affected differently in obstructive versus restrictive lung diseases.

You Are Called to Attend to an ER Patient Complaining