Q: What is COPD?
A: A common, preventable, and treatable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is not fully reversible; usually progressive; caused by airway/alveolar abnormalities due to noxious particles/gases
Q: What two main conditions make up COPD?
A: Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Q: Define chronic bronchitis.
A: Productive cough for 3 months in 2 successive years with no other cause
Q: Define emphysema.
A: Permanent enlargement of airspaces distal to terminal bronchioles with alveolar wall destruction and no obvious fibrosis
Q: Classic signs of chronic bronchitis (“Blue Bloater”)?
A: Stocky/overweight, cyanosis, hypoxemia, polycythemia, right heart failure (JVD, edema), productive cough, wheezes/crackles
Q: Classic signs of emphysema (“Pink Puffer”)?
A: Thin, barrel chest, dyspnea, hyperventilation, pursed-lip breathing, reddish skin, hyperresonant percussion, prolonged expiration
Q: Main risk factors for COPD?
A: Tobacco smoke, occupational exposures, indoor/outdoor pollution, α1-antitrypsin deficiency, respiratory infections, asthma history, poor lung growth
Q: PFT findings in COPD (obstructive)?
A: ↓ FEV₁, ↓ FEV₁/FVC, ↓ flows; ↑ RV, ↑ FRC, ↑ TLC; ↓ VC, ↓ IRV/ERV
Q: ABG trends in COPD?
Mild/moderate: respiratory alkalosis (↓ PaCO₂, ↑ pH).
Severe: chronic ventilatory failure with hypoxemia (↑ PaCO₂, normal pH with ↑ HCO₃⁻)
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Q: Oxygen therapy goal in COPD?
A: Maintain SaO₂ 88–92% (prevent hypoxemia while avoiding worsening hypercapnia)
Q: Chest X-ray findings in chronic bronchitis?
A: Increased bronchovascular markings, enlarged horizontal heart
Q: Chest X-ray findings in emphysema?
A: Hyperinflation, flat diaphragm, narrow mediastinum, blebs/bullae
Q: What is obstructive lung disease?
A: Gas enters on inspiration but is trapped in alveoli due to expiratory flow limitation → air trapping, ↑ lung volumes. Examples: COPD, asthma, CF, bronchiectasis
Q: What is restrictive lung disease?
A: ↓ Lung compliance, ↓ lung volumes/capacities due to stiff lungs or external restriction. Examples: ARDS, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pneumothorax
