Chronic Bronchitis

Question 1

why does chronic bronchitis result?

Answer 1

result of inflammation of the airway epithelium and mucus hyper-secretion, due to inspired irritants like tobacco smoke or air pollution

Question 2

what is the first feature of chronic bronchitis?

Answer 2

hypersecretion in the large airways

Question 3

what is the texture of the mucus with hypersecretion in the airways?

Answer 3

• more tenacious than normal
• increased in size
• increase in mucus glands and goblet cells in the airway epithelium

Question 4

what bacteria can become embedded in the airway secretions?

Answer 4

haemophilus influenzae and streptoccus pnemoniae

Question 5

what can occur if you have infection or injury with chronic bronchitis?

Answer 5

further inflammation and mucus production, bronchospasm and even permanent narrowing of the airways

Question 6

air trapping in the distal portions of the lung can result because of what?

Answer 6

airway collapse early in the expiratory phase

Question 7

what does airway obstruction cause?

Answer 7

ventilation-perfusion mismatch (low V/Q ratio), hypercapnia and hypoxemia

Question 8

significant hypoxemia can lead to what?

Answer 8

cyanosis and polycythemia - the latter being an over production of red blood cells

Question 9

if hypoxemia is not reversed what can it lead to?

Answer 9

will lead to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonae (enlargement of the R ventricle) which can cause R sided HF