Disorders of the Lungs – Notes
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Definition:
Chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that causes airflow blockage and breathing difficulty.
Causes:
- Tobacco smoking (most common)
- Long-term exposure to pollutants, chemical fumes, and dust
- Genetic predisposition (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)
Symptoms:
- Persistent cough with mucus (sputum)
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Fatigue
- Frequent respiratory infections
Treatment / Management:
- No cure, but progression can be slowed
- Minimize exposure to smoke, pollutants, and chemicals
- Bronchodilators
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Oxygen therapy
- Severe cases: lung transplantation
2. Chronic Bronchitis
Definition:
Type of COPD involving inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, lasting 3 months to 2 years.
Causes:
-
Long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and industrial dust
Symptoms:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Frequent respiratory infections
Treatment / Management:
- Quitting smoking
- Bronchodilators
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Oxygen therapy in severe cases
3. Emphysema
Definition:
Type of COPD in which inner walls of alveoli are damaged, creating larger air spaces and reducing gas exchange surface area.
Causes:
- Smoking (primary cause)
- Long-term exposure to air pollution, dust, and chemical fumes
- Genetic deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin
Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Chest tightness
Treatment / Management:
- Quitting smoking (most important)
- Bronchodilators
- Inhaled steroids
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Oxygen therapy
COPD, Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema – MCQs
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COPD stands for:
(a) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(b) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
(c) Chronic Obstruction of Pulmonary Disease
(d) Chronic Oxygen Pulmonary Disease
Answer: (a) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Explanation: COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that blocks airflow.
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The primary cause of COPD is:
(a) Viral infection
(b) Bacterial infection
(c) Tobacco smoking
(d) Genetic mutation
Answer: (c) Tobacco smoking
Explanation: Smoking is the main risk factor; other factors include pollutants and chemicals.
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Which protein deficiency can lead to COPD even without smoking?
(a) Hemoglobin
(b) Alpha-1 antitrypsin
(c) Myoglobin
(d) Albumin
Answer: (b) Alpha-1 antitrypsin
Explanation: Genetic deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin can predispose individuals to COPD.
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Which of the following is NOT a symptom of COPD?
(a) Persistent cough with mucus
(b) Shortness of breath
(c) Chest tightness
(d) Skin rash
Answer: (d) Skin rash
Explanation: Skin rash is unrelated; other options are classic COPD symptoms.
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Chronic bronchitis is a type of:
(a) Emphysema
(b) COPD
(c) Asthma
(d) Pneumonia
Answer: (b) COPD
Explanation: Chronic bronchitis involves inflammation and narrowing of bronchial tubes, classified under COPD.
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Chronic bronchitis typically lasts:
(a) 1 week
(b) 1 month
(c) 3 months to 2 years
(d) More than 10 years
Answer: (c) 3 months to 2 years
Explanation: Chronic bronchitis is defined by long-term inflammation lasting 3 months to 2 years.
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The main cause of emphysema is:
(a) Viral infection
(b) Smoking
(c) Bacterial infection
(d) Genetic mutation only
Answer: (b) Smoking
Explanation: Smoking damages alveoli; genetic factors (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) are secondary.
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Emphysema reduces lung efficiency because:
(a) Alveoli rupture and merge into larger air spaces
(b) Bronchi become inflamed
(c) Trachea collapses
(d) Oxygen production decreases
Answer: (a) Alveoli rupture and merge into larger air spaces
Explanation: This reduces surface area for gas exchange.
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Which of the following is NOT a treatment for COPD?
(a) Bronchodilators
(b) Inhaled corticosteroids
(c) Pulmonary rehabilitation
(d) Antibiotics for viral causes
Answer: (d) Antibiotics for viral causes
Explanation: Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral; other options are standard COPD management.
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Quitting smoking in COPD or emphysema patients:
(a) Cures the disease
(b) Slows progression of disease
(c) Has no effect
(d) Causes further lung damage
Answer: (b) Slows progression of disease
Explanation: Smoking cessation reduces further lung damage but does not cure COPD.
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Wheezing is a symptom of:
(a) COPD
(b) Chronic bronchitis
(c) Emphysema
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Wheezing occurs due to narrowed airways in all these conditions.
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Oxygen therapy is primarily used in:
(a) Mild COPD
(b) Severe COPD or emphysema
(c) Chronic bronchitis only
(d) Healthy individuals
Answer: (b) Severe COPD or emphysema
Explanation: Oxygen therapy helps patients with low blood oxygen levels.
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Pulmonary rehabilitation includes:
(a) Breathing exercises
(b) Physical training
(c) Education and nutrition counseling
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Pulmonary rehab helps improve lung function and quality of life.
-
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency mainly affects which organ?
(a) Liver and lungs
(b) Heart
(c) Kidneys
(d) Pancreas
Answer: (a) Liver and lungs
Explanation: Deficiency leads to lung damage (emphysema) and sometimes liver problems.
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Chest tightness in COPD patients is due to:
(a) Alveolar rupture
(b) Narrowed airways and inflammation
(c) Low oxygen in blood
(d) Viral infection
Answer: (b) Narrowed airways and inflammation
Explanation: Inflammation and mucus in airways restrict airflow, causing tightness.
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Chronic exposure to pollutants can cause:
(a) COPD
(b) Chronic bronchitis
(c) Emphysema
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Long-term inhalation of irritants contributes to these lung disorders.
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Severe COPD may require which surgical procedure?
(a) Lung transplantation
(b) Appendectomy
(c) Heart bypass
(d) Tracheostomy
Answer: (a) Lung transplantation
Explanation: In end-stage COPD, lung transplant may be considered.
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Fatigue in COPD patients occurs due to:
(a) Poor oxygen supply
(b) Excess mucus
(c) Bronchodilators
(d) Inhaled steroids
Answer: (a) Poor oxygen supply
Explanation: Reduced oxygen delivery to tissues leads to fatigue.
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Which condition involves inflammation and narrowing of bronchial tubes with mucus production?
(a) Emphysema
(b) Chronic bronchitis
(c) Pneumonia
(d) Asthma
Answer: (b) Chronic bronchitis
Explanation: Chronic bronchitis produces excess mucus, causing airway obstruction.
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Emphysema can also result from:
(a) Air pollution
(b) Dust and chemical fumes
(c) Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Environmental and genetic factors can lead to emphysema besides smoking.
Short Questions – COPD, Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema
-
What does COPD stand for?
Answer: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -
Name the main cause of COPD.
Answer: Tobacco smoking -
Which protein deficiency can lead to COPD even without smoking?
Answer: Alpha-1 antitrypsin -
List three common symptoms of COPD.
Answer: Persistent cough with mucus, shortness of breath, wheezing -
What is chronic bronchitis?
Answer: Inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes lasting 3 months to 2 years -
Name one way to manage chronic bronchitis.
Answer: Quitting smoking -
Define emphysema.
Answer: COPD type in which alveolar walls are damaged, reducing gas exchange surface area -
Name a primary cause of emphysema.
Answer: Smoking -
Why does emphysema reduce oxygen exchange?
Answer: Alveoli rupture and merge, reducing surface area for gas exchange -
Which therapy is used in severe COPD or emphysema for low oxygen levels?
Answer: Oxygen therapy -
Name two common symptoms shared by all three disorders.
Answer: Shortness of breath and fatigue -
How can progression of COPD be slowed?
Answer: By quitting smoking and minimizing exposure to pollutants and chemicals -
What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
Answer: A therapy including breathing exercises, physical training, and patient education -
Name one surgical option for severe COPD.
Answer: Lung transplantation -
What causes chest tightness in these lung disorders?
Answer: Inflammation and narrowing of airways
Long Questions – COPD, Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema
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Explain chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
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Describe the role of smoking, pollutants, and genetic factors in the development of COPD.
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Explain chronic bronchitis, its causes, symptoms, and management.
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Describe emphysema, including how alveolar damage affects gas exchange in the lungs.
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Compare and contrast COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema in terms of causes, symptoms, and treatment.
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Discuss how quitting smoking and pulmonary rehabilitation can help manage COPD and its related disorders.
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Explain the complications that may arise if COPD or emphysema is left untreated.
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Describe the importance of oxygen therapy and bronchodilators in the treatment of severe COPD and emphysema.
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Explain the genetic factor alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and its role in lung disorders.
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Discuss the impact of chronic lung disorders on a patient’s quality of life and daily activities
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