Emphysema

Question 1

A long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that
primarily causes shortness of breath due to over-inflation of the
alveoli (air sacs in the lung).

Answer 1

Emphysema

Question 2

What happens to the alveoli in people with emphysema

Answer 2

the lung tissue involved in exchange
of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) is impaired or destroyed.

Question 3

What happens the air sacs are damaged or destroyed?

Answer 3

Enlargement of the
air spaces occurs leading to an increase in total lung capacity

Question 4

What happens when larger air sacs trap air

Answer 4

makes exhaling more difficult also
placing pressure of the pulmonary circulation

Question 5

Matched V/Q defect: Since both the terminal bronchioles and alveoli along
with the capillary bed have been destroyed

Answer 5

, a matched defect exists between
the ventilation and perfusion; areas of low ventilation also have poor
perfusion

Question 6

During mild hypoxia, : Despite the “matched” V/Q defect, overtime hyperventilation
develops and cardiac output (CO) drops which leads to areas of

Answer 6

f poor blood
flow in relatively well oxygenated areas. Due to this poor CO, the rest of the
body suffers from tissue hypoxia.

Question 7

At the pulmonary level, the low CO leads to pulmonary

Answer 7

cachexia;
which induces weight loss and muscle wasting. This gives these patients the
characteristic “pink-puffer” appearance

Question 8

What is pink puffer?

Answer 8

Severe constant dyspnea/tachypnea (“puffing”):

Question 9

Pink puffer is likely related to

Answer 9

increasing end-expiratory volume (decreased recoil), making each breath
less efficient

Question 10

During pink puffer, what do patients try to use

Answer 10

Patients use accessory muscles (tripod position) and breath faster
(hyperventilation) to compensate for feeling of inadequate ventilation

Question 11

What can Dyspnea also be related to?

Answer 11

respiratory muscle fatigue from increased use
as well as the flattening of the diaphragm which impairs its function

Question 12

What are the characteristics of patients with pink puffer?

Answer 12

They tend to be thin, to experience hyperinflation at total lung capacity,
and to be free of signs of right heart failure, initially

Question 13

What does pursed breathing help with?

Answer 13

Helps get more oxygen into the lungs and calms
down the patient so they can better control their breath

Question 14

Pursed-lip breathing (PLB) is thought to prevent

Answer 14

prevent tightness in the airway
by providing resistance to expiration.

Question 15

The technique of pursed breathing has been shown to

Answer 15

• increase use of the diaphragm and
  decrease accessory muscle recruitment.