EXAM ONE STUDY GUIDE FOR NSG5544:
PRIMARY CARE TOPICS WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS [ GRADED A+]
COPD - ✔✔COPD is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and tissue
destruction.
Chronic inflammation - ✔✔Chronic inflammation leads to airway narrowing
and decreased lung function recoil.
Emphysema - ✔✔One of the two common types of COPD.
Chronic bronchitis - ✔✔One of the two common types of COPD.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
,Mild Stage of COPD - ✔✔You might experience few or no symptoms; however,
if you walk uphill or exercise, you could feel symptoms such as shortness of
breath.
Moderate Stage of COPD - ✔✔You may frequently experience increased
symptoms and feel breathless even while walking on level surfaces or over
longer distances.
Severe Stage of COPD - ✔✔You might encounter daily symptoms that are more
bothersome, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks.
Very Severe Stage of COPD - ✔✔You could struggle with daily activities due to
your symptoms, experience lower energy levels, and potentially have low
oxygen saturation.
Risk Factors for COPD - ✔✔Tobacco use, cigars, secondhand smoke exposure,
air pollution, workplace dust, fumes, smoke, gases, asthma, marijuana use.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
,Genetic Mutation in COPD - ✔✔Approximately 1% of individuals with COPD
carry a genetic mutation leading to hereditary emphysema.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) - ✔✔A protein whose levels are affected by a genetic
mutation in some individuals with COPD.
Clinical Presentation of COPD - ✔✔Respiratory distress, wheezing, persistent
cough, difficulty catching breath, fatigue, chest tightness.
Physical Exam Findings in COPD - ✔✔Muscle waste, accessory muscle use,
prolonged expiration, pursed lips, clubbing of digits, central cyanosis, edema of
lower extremities.
Spirometry - ✔✔A ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to
forced vital capacity (FVC) of less than 0.70 confirms the diagnosis.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
, Portable Spirometry - ✔✔Small, pocket-sized devices that can connect to
smartphones and measure essential spirometry parameters.
Conventional Spirometry - ✔✔A certified spirometer used in the pulmonary
test laboratory that cannot be moved easily.
Arterial blood gases - ✔✔This test can show how well your lungs move oxygen
in the blood and remove carbon dioxide from your blood.
CXR - ✔✔Rule out other conditions but will not show COPD.
CT scan - ✔✔It may show the type of COPD, such as emphysema or chronic
bronchitis, disease progression, or severity.
CBC - ✔✔Assess for infection, anemia, and polycythemia.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
PRIMARY CARE TOPICS WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS [ GRADED A+]
COPD - ✔✔COPD is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and tissue
destruction.
Chronic inflammation - ✔✔Chronic inflammation leads to airway narrowing
and decreased lung function recoil.
Emphysema - ✔✔One of the two common types of COPD.
Chronic bronchitis - ✔✔One of the two common types of COPD.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
,Mild Stage of COPD - ✔✔You might experience few or no symptoms; however,
if you walk uphill or exercise, you could feel symptoms such as shortness of
breath.
Moderate Stage of COPD - ✔✔You may frequently experience increased
symptoms and feel breathless even while walking on level surfaces or over
longer distances.
Severe Stage of COPD - ✔✔You might encounter daily symptoms that are more
bothersome, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks.
Very Severe Stage of COPD - ✔✔You could struggle with daily activities due to
your symptoms, experience lower energy levels, and potentially have low
oxygen saturation.
Risk Factors for COPD - ✔✔Tobacco use, cigars, secondhand smoke exposure,
air pollution, workplace dust, fumes, smoke, gases, asthma, marijuana use.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
,Genetic Mutation in COPD - ✔✔Approximately 1% of individuals with COPD
carry a genetic mutation leading to hereditary emphysema.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) - ✔✔A protein whose levels are affected by a genetic
mutation in some individuals with COPD.
Clinical Presentation of COPD - ✔✔Respiratory distress, wheezing, persistent
cough, difficulty catching breath, fatigue, chest tightness.
Physical Exam Findings in COPD - ✔✔Muscle waste, accessory muscle use,
prolonged expiration, pursed lips, clubbing of digits, central cyanosis, edema of
lower extremities.
Spirometry - ✔✔A ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to
forced vital capacity (FVC) of less than 0.70 confirms the diagnosis.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
, Portable Spirometry - ✔✔Small, pocket-sized devices that can connect to
smartphones and measure essential spirometry parameters.
Conventional Spirometry - ✔✔A certified spirometer used in the pulmonary
test laboratory that cannot be moved easily.
Arterial blood gases - ✔✔This test can show how well your lungs move oxygen
in the blood and remove carbon dioxide from your blood.
CXR - ✔✔Rule out other conditions but will not show COPD.
CT scan - ✔✔It may show the type of COPD, such as emphysema or chronic
bronchitis, disease progression, or severity.
CBC - ✔✔Assess for infection, anemia, and polycythemia.
©morren 2025/2026. Year published 2026.
