NR 507 Week 3 Exam Obstructive and
Restrictive Lung Diseases Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
primarily develops airflow limitation because of:
A. Increased lung elasticity
B. Chronic inflammation causing airway narrowing and alveolar
destruction
C. Pulmonary artery obstruction
D. Left ventricular hypertrophy
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation that
narrows the airways and destroys alveolar walls, resulting in airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible. Emphysema contributes through
alveolar destruction, while chronic bronchitis contributes through
airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion.
2. Which factor is the leading cause of COPD worldwide?
,A. Air pollution
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
D. Asthma
Rationale: Cigarette smoking is responsible for the majority of COPD
cases because it causes chronic airway inflammation, oxidative stress,
and destruction of lung tissue. Although environmental exposures and
genetic conditions contribute, smoking remains the primary cause.
3. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency primarily predisposes patients to:
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Early-onset emphysema
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Alpha-1 antitrypsin protects alveoli from protease-
mediated destruction. Deficiency allows excessive elastase activity,
leading to premature emphysema, particularly in the lower lung fields
and often at a younger age.
4. The hallmark symptom of emphysema is:
A. Productive cough
,B. Progressive dyspnea
C. Hemoptysis
D. Chest pain
Rationale: Progressive shortness of breath results from alveolar
destruction and reduced surface area for gas exchange. Productive
cough is more characteristic of chronic bronchitis.
5. Chronic bronchitis is clinically defined as:
A. Pneumonia lasting 3 months
B. Productive cough for at least 3 months in each of 2 consecutive
years
C. Dyspnea lasting 6 months
D. Any chronic cough lasting over 4 weeks
Rationale: The classic diagnostic definition requires chronic productive
cough for at least three months during two consecutive years after
excluding other causes.
6. Which pathological change is most associated with chronic
bronchitis?
A. Alveolar rupture
B. Mucous gland hypertrophy and goblet cell hyperplasia
, C. Pleural fibrosis
D. Pulmonary infarction
Rationale: Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands and goblet cell
hyperplasia increase mucus production, contributing to airway
obstruction and chronic cough.
7. Which lung volume is typically increased in emphysema?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory capacity
C. Residual volume
D. Vital capacity
Rationale: Air trapping caused by loss of elastic recoil leads to
increased residual volume and hyperinflation of the lungs.
8. The "pink puffer" description most accurately refers to patients
with:
A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Asthma
Restrictive Lung Diseases Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
primarily develops airflow limitation because of:
A. Increased lung elasticity
B. Chronic inflammation causing airway narrowing and alveolar
destruction
C. Pulmonary artery obstruction
D. Left ventricular hypertrophy
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation that
narrows the airways and destroys alveolar walls, resulting in airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible. Emphysema contributes through
alveolar destruction, while chronic bronchitis contributes through
airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion.
2. Which factor is the leading cause of COPD worldwide?
,A. Air pollution
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
D. Asthma
Rationale: Cigarette smoking is responsible for the majority of COPD
cases because it causes chronic airway inflammation, oxidative stress,
and destruction of lung tissue. Although environmental exposures and
genetic conditions contribute, smoking remains the primary cause.
3. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency primarily predisposes patients to:
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Early-onset emphysema
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Alpha-1 antitrypsin protects alveoli from protease-
mediated destruction. Deficiency allows excessive elastase activity,
leading to premature emphysema, particularly in the lower lung fields
and often at a younger age.
4. The hallmark symptom of emphysema is:
A. Productive cough
,B. Progressive dyspnea
C. Hemoptysis
D. Chest pain
Rationale: Progressive shortness of breath results from alveolar
destruction and reduced surface area for gas exchange. Productive
cough is more characteristic of chronic bronchitis.
5. Chronic bronchitis is clinically defined as:
A. Pneumonia lasting 3 months
B. Productive cough for at least 3 months in each of 2 consecutive
years
C. Dyspnea lasting 6 months
D. Any chronic cough lasting over 4 weeks
Rationale: The classic diagnostic definition requires chronic productive
cough for at least three months during two consecutive years after
excluding other causes.
6. Which pathological change is most associated with chronic
bronchitis?
A. Alveolar rupture
B. Mucous gland hypertrophy and goblet cell hyperplasia
, C. Pleural fibrosis
D. Pulmonary infarction
Rationale: Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands and goblet cell
hyperplasia increase mucus production, contributing to airway
obstruction and chronic cough.
7. Which lung volume is typically increased in emphysema?
A. Tidal volume
B. Inspiratory capacity
C. Residual volume
D. Vital capacity
Rationale: Air trapping caused by loss of elastic recoil leads to
increased residual volume and hyperinflation of the lungs.
8. The "pink puffer" description most accurately refers to patients
with:
A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Asthma
