Final answer:
Stiffened lung tissue and enlarged air spaces seen in a chest x-ray indicate obstructive lung diseases like asthma or emphysema. This puts the patient at an increased risk of respiratory distress during surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stiffened lung tissue and enlarged air spaces seen in a chest x-ray indicate the presence of obstructive lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema. These conditions increase the resistance in the respiratory system, making breathing more difficult for the patient. Therefore, the patient is at an increased risk of respiratory distress during surgery (option A).