NURS 6501 Pathophysiology COPD Exam Walden University

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? A grouping of lung diseases that damage the small or large airways permanently increasing lung compliance (Varying degrees of symptoms and exacerbations between patients. Main forms are chronic bronchitis and emphysema) Does smoking cause COPD? No, but because of the way it interacts with the lungs it significantly increases the chances that it will be developed. What are 6 diseases that are frequently associated with a COPD diagnosis? Osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, skeletal muscle dystrophy, lung cancer, depression, and anxiety What are the 3 ways that emphysema changes the lungs? (Airways and lung parenchyma) Oxidative stress, airway remodeling, and enzyme-enzyme inhibitor imbalance What are the 2 ways that chronic bronchitis changes the lungs? (Airway and lung parenchyma) Airway remodeling and hypersecretion of mucous How does emphysema cause oxidative stress? Cigarette smoke and particulates destroy the cells of the lungs. This signals an inflammatory response where white blood cells release enzymes to break the particles down causing further cell damage in the process. All of this cell damage releases free radicals (highly reactive oxygen compounds that indiscriminately destroy cells) further enhancing the cell damage. How does emphysema cause airway remodeling? Constant damage to the tissues causes smooth muscle generation (tougher cells to protect against further damage) where it doesn't belong. This leads to fibrotic changes to the airways, decreasing the airway lumen. (Increasing resistance) How does emphysema cause enzyme-enzyme inhibitor imbalance?Methionine sulfate is produced in response to cigarette smoke which reduces the activity of alpha 1 antitrypsin (enzyme for enzymes) allowing for increasing number of proteases (enzymes for proteins) that damage cells