Question

A patient complains of gradual onset of dyspnea with exertion. He is a teacher by occupation and noticed that he needs to take frequent breaks while teaching/talking because he gets fatigued easily. He has been a smoker for over 30 years and reports an increase in cough with expectoration. He is suspected to have obstructive pulmonary disease. Which of the following will most likely NOT be associated with this condition?

Select one:
a. Obliteration of Lovibond angle (clubbing)
b. Increase in the amount of exhalation in 1 sec
c. Hypertrophy of accessory muscles of respiration
d. Bluish discoloration of the mucous membrane

Answer 1

The option most likely NOT associated with obstructive pulmonary disease is an increase in the amount of exhalation in 1 second; this condition typically results in decreased expiratory flow rates.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of a patient with suspected obstructive pulmonary disease, certain signs and symptoms are common, such as dyspnea, increased cough with expectoration, fatigue with exertion, and possible use of accessory muscles due to difficulty breathing. The one option from the list provided that would most likely NOT be associated with this condition is an increase in the amount of exhalation in 1 second. In fact, obstructive pulmonary disease typically manifests as a decrease in the expiratory flow rates, reflecting obstruction in the airways and difficulty in exhaling air quickly. Features like hypoxemia, indicated by bluish discoloration of mucous membranes, are indicative of inadequate oxygenation, which is common in such conditions. Accessory muscle hypertrophy also occurs due to increased work of breathing. Obliteration of the Lovibond angle or clubbing, although not specific, can be associated with chronic hypoxia in lung diseases.