4. Asthma

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary factor associated with asthma exacerbations?
a) Excessive exercise
b) Genetic susceptibility combined with environmental triggers
c) Overuse of antibiotics
d) Dietary habits

Answer 1

b) Genetic susceptibility combined with environmental triggers

Question 2

What percentage of asthma-related hospital admissions and deaths are considered avoidable?
a) 50% and 80%
b) 75% and 90%
c) 25% and 60%
d) 85% and 95%

Answer 2

b) 75% and 90%

Question 3

Which immune cells play a critical role in the late-phase response of allergic asthma?
a) Neutrophils
b) Macrophages
c) Eosinophils
d) Basophils

Answer 3

c) Eosinophils

Question 4

Which of the following is an intrinsic cause of restrictive lung disorders?
a) Kyphoscoliosis
b) Myasthenia gravis
c) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
d) Guillain-Barré syndrome

Answer 4

c) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Question 5

What is the hallmark pathological feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
a) Increased airway mucus production
b) Inflammation and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD)
c) Smooth muscle hypertrophy
d) Overproduction of IgE

Answer 5

b) Inflammation and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD)

Question 6

Which phase of ARDS is characterized by the influx and proliferation of fibroblasts?
a) Exudative phase
b) Fibroproliferative phase
c) Late phase
d) Initial phase

Answer 6

b) Fibroproliferative phase

Question 7

Which of the following is not an inorganic cause of pneumoconiosis?
a) Coal worker’s lung
b) Asbestosis
c) Bird fancier’s lung
d) Silicosis

Answer 7

c) Bird fancier’s lung

Question 8

In asbestosis, what occurs when macrophages fail to destroy asbestos fibers?
a) Fibroblast activation and collagen deposition
b) Immediate resolution of inflammation
c) Formation of granulomas
d) Systemic dissemination of the fibers

Answer 8

a) Fibroblast activation and collagen deposition

Question 9

What is a primary characteristic of asthma as a respiratory disorder?
a) Loss of lung compliance
b) Chronic inflammatory disease with airway hyperresponsiveness
c) Absence of mucus production
d) Permanent airway obstruction

Answer 9

b) Chronic inflammatory disease with airway hyperresponsiveness

Question 10

Which mediator is responsible for the bronchoconstriction observed in asthma?
a) Prostaglandins
b) Histamine
c) Tumour necrosis factor α
d) Serotonin

Answer 10

b) Histamine

Question 11

What is the typical timeframe for the late-phase response in asthma?
a) 1–2 hours
b) 2–4 hours
c) 4–6 hours
d) 6–8 hours

Answer 11

c) 4-6 hours

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of an extrinsic restrictive lung disorder?
a) Sarcoidosis
b) Kyphoscoliosis
c) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
d) Asbestosis

Answer 12

b) Kyphoscoliosis

Question 13

What symptom is typically associated with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
a) Persistent wheezing
b) Severe respiratory distress and multi-organ failure
c) Painless coughing
d) Chronic fatigue syndrome

Answer 13

b) Severe respiratory distress and multi-organ failure

Question 14

Which condition is not a possible cause of ARDS?
a) Viral pneumonia
b) Exposure to cigarette smoke
c) Near-drowning incidents
d) Pancreatitis

Answer 14

b) Exposure to cigarette smoke

Question 15

What is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia?
a) Haemophilus influenzae
b) Mycoplasma pneumoniae
c) Streptococcus pneumoniae
d) Legionella pneumophila

Answer 15

c) Streptococcus pneumoniae

Question 16

Which phase of pneumonia involves alveolar macrophages clearing debris and inflammation subsiding?
a) Initial phase
b) Second phase
c) Third phase
d) Last phase

Answer 16

d) Last phase

Question 17

Which group has the highest mortality rate associated with pneumonia?
a) Outpatients with no comorbidities
b) Hospitalized patients
c) Patients needing intensive care
d) Elderly patients living independently

Answer 17

c) Patients needing intensive care

Question 18

Which type of asbestos fiber is considered most toxic?
a) Chrysotile
b) Amosite
c) Serpentine fibers
d) Crocidolite

Answer 18

c) Crocidolite

Question 19

What is the most common outcome of prolonged asbestos exposure?
a) Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
b) Diffuse lung fibrosis
c) Tuberculosis
d) Allergic reactions

Answer 19

b) Diffuse lung fibrosis

Question 20

What is the median survival time from diagnosis for patients with mesothelioma?
a) 6 months
b) 11 months
c) 18 months
d) 24 months

Answer 20

b) 11 months

Question 21

What is mesothelioma primarily associated with?
a) Long-term exposure to coal dust
b) Inhalation of asbestos fibers
c) Chronic cigarette smoking
d) Exposure to air pollution

Answer 21

b) Inhalation of asbestos fibres

Question 22

What type of cells does mesothelioma originate from?
a) Alveolar epithelial cells
b) Mesothelial cells of the pleural membranes
c) Squamous cells of the bronchi
d) Ciliated epithelial cells

Answer 22

b) Mesothelial cells of the pleural membranes

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of mesothelioma?
a) Chest pain
b) Weight loss
c) Productive cough with blood
d) Shortness of breath

Answer 23

c) Productive cough with blood

Question 24

What is the mechanism by which asbestos fibers contribute to mesothelioma?
a) Direct viral activation of mesothelial cells
b) DNA damage and interference with mitotic spindle formation
c) Hypoxia-induced fibrosis of lung tissue
d) Overproduction of neutrophils and eosinophils

Answer 24

b) DNA damage and interference with mitotic spindle formation

Question 25

Which of the following best describes the progression of mesothelioma?
a) It primarily remains localized in the lung tissue.
b) It spreads to the abdominal cavity via lymphatics or swallowing fibers.
c) It only affects the pleural membranes and does not spread.
d) It directly invades the heart and brain

Answer 25

b) It spreads to the abdominal cavity via lymphatics or swallowing fibers

Question 26

What complication does mesothelioma typically cause that leads to respiratory failure?
a) Pulmonary embolism
b) Formation of pleural plaques
c) Tumor encasement of the lung
d) Bronchial obstruction

Answer 26

c) Tumour encasement of the lung

Question 27

What is a common environmental risk factor for developing mesothelioma aside from direct occupational exposure?
a) Secondhand asbestos exposure in the home
b) Living in urban areas with high air pollution
c) Prolonged exposure to radon gas
d) Working in coal mines

Answer 27

a) Secondhand asbestos exposure in the home

Question 28

What are the possible complications of mesothelioma?
(Select all that apply)
a) Pleural effusion
b) Multi-organ failure
c) Systemic viral infections
d) Respiratory failure

Answer 28

a) Pleural effusion
b) Multi-organ failure
d) Respiratory failure