RC 110 Chapter 12: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Bronchitis, and Emphysema questions with correct answers

Describe the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema CORRECT ANSWER A.) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: is a preventable and treatable disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive, is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious (harmful) particles or gases and is primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Although COPD affects the lungs, it also produces significant systemic consequences B.) Chronic bronchitis: is defined clinically as chronic productive cough for 3 months on each of 2 successive years in a patient in whom other causes of productive chronic cough have been excluded C.) Emphysema: is defined pathologically as the presence of permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of bronchiole walls & without obvious fibrosis D.) In patients with COPD: both chronic bronchitis and emphysema are present. However, the relative contribution of each to the disease process is often difficult to discern. Note that the ATS definition for chronic bronchitis is based on the major clinical manifestations associated with the disease (productive cough). Also note that the ATS definition for emphysema is based on the pathology or the anatomic alternations of the lung associated with the disorder Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease CORRECT ANSWER is a preventable and treatable disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive, is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious (harmful) particles or gases and is primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Although COPD affects the lungs, it also produces significant systemic consequences Chronic bronchitis CORRECT ANSWER is defined clinically as chronic productive cough for 3 months on each of 2 successive years in a patient in whom other causes of productive chronic cough have been excluded