Question

A subject who has severe dyspnea on exertion performs a maximal exercise test with arterial line and exhaled gas analysis. The following data are obtained Maximal Exercise Predicted HR (beats/min) 163 171 O2 (L/min) 0.85 2.89 E(L/min) 23 96 PaO2 72 >85 PaCO2 41 <40 VD/VT 0.42 <0.25 SpO2 (%) 93 95 Which of the following diagnoses best fits these findings?"

a) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
b) Asthma
c) Pulmonary embolism
d) Interstitial lung disease

Answer 1

The findings in this exercise test suggest that the subject likely has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Step-by-step explanation:

The findings in this exercise test suggest that the subject likely has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Asthma is characterized by bronchospasm and reversible airflow obstruction, but the data provided does not indicate bronchospasm or reversible airflow obstruction.

Pulmonary embolism typically presents with sudden onset dyspnea, chest pain, and hypoxemia; however, the patient in this scenario has severe dyspnea on exertion which is more consistent with COPD. Finally, interstitial lung disease usually presents with progressive dyspnea on exertion and restrictive lung function pattern on pulmonary function tests, but the findings in this exercise test do not support that diagnosis.