Pulmonology Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following does NOT define severe ARDS according to the Berlin Definition of ARDS?

PaO2/FiO2 < 200. The **Berlin Definition (2012)** is the gold standard for diagnosing and grading the severity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) [1]. ### 1. Why Option A is the Correct Answer The Berlin Definition categorizes ARDS severity based on the **PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio** with a minimum PEEP of 5 cm H2O. According to these criteria: * **Mild ARDS:** P/F ratio 201 – 300 mmHg * **Moderate ARDS:** P/F ratio 101 – 200 mmHg * **Severe ARDS:** P/F ratio **≤ 100 mmHg** [1] Therefore, a P/F ratio < 200 defines *Moderate* ARDS, not *Severe* ARDS. ### 2. Analysis of Other Options * **Option B (Timing):** ARDS must have an **acute onset**, defined as occurring within **one week** of a known clinical insult or new/worsening respiratory symptoms [1]. * **Option C (Imaging):** Chest X-ray or CT scan must show **bilateral opacities** that are not fully explained by effusions, lobar/lung collapse, or nodules [1]. * **Option D (Origin of Edema):** The respiratory failure must not be fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload [1]. If no risk factor is present, an objective evaluation (e.g., echocardiography) is required to rule out **hydrostatic edema**. ### 3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG * **PEEP Requirement:** To grade severity, a minimum Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) or CPAP of **≥ 5 cm H2O** is mandatory [1]. * **Mortality:** As severity increases from Mild to Severe, mortality rates increase (approx. 27% to 45%). * **Management Tip:** For Severe ARDS (P/F < 150), high-yield interventions include **Prone Positioning** and **Neuromuscular Blockade** (early phase). * **Radiology:** The classic description is "white-out lungs" with air bronchograms.

Q: The complication least likely to occur in a case of chronic bronchitis is:

Spontaneous pneumothorax. **Explanation:** Chronic bronchitis is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway narrowing. To identify the "least likely" complication, we must distinguish its pathophysiology from that of emphysema. **Why Spontaneous Pneumothorax is the correct answer:** Spontaneous pneumothorax is a classic complication of **emphysema**, not chronic bronchitis [1]. In emphysema, the destruction of alveolar walls leads to the formation of subpleural blebs or bullae. When these rupture, air enters the pleural space. While chronic bronchitis and emphysema often coexist in COPD, the specific pathological hallmark of chronic bronchitis (mucus gland hyperplasia) does not inherently cause bleb formation or lung collapse. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Pulmonary Hypertension:** Chronic bronchitis leads to chronic alveolar hypoxia. This triggers **hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction**, which increases pulmonary vascular resistance, eventually leading to pulmonary hypertension and Cor Pulmonale. * **Respiratory Acidosis:** Narrowed airways and mucus plugging lead to ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch and CO2 retention (hypercapnia) [1]. Chronic CO2 retention results in respiratory acidosis. * **Polycythemia:** Persistent hypoxemia stimulates the kidneys to release erythropoietin, which increases red blood cell production (secondary polycythemia) to improve oxygen-carrying capacity [1]. This is why chronic bronchitis patients are often termed "Blue Bloaters." **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Blue Bloaters (Chronic Bronchitis):** Characterized by hypoxia, hypercapnia, early onset of Cor Pulmonale, and polycythemia [1]. * **Pink Puffers (Emphysema):** Characterized by near-normal oxygenation (initially), hyperventilation, and a high risk of **pneumothorax** due to bullae. * **Reid Index:** Increased (>0.4) in chronic bronchitis (ratio of mucous gland thickness to bronchial wall thickness).

Q: All of the following are seen in Kartagener syndrome except?

Azoospermia. **Explanation:** Kartagener syndrome is a subset of **Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)**, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a structural defect in the **dynein arms** of cilia. This leads to impaired mucociliary clearance and ciliary immotility throughout the body [1]. **Why Azoospermia is the correct answer (the "Except"):** In Kartagener syndrome, males typically present with **infertility**, but not azoospermia. The sperm count is usually normal, but the sperm are **immotile** because the flagella (which share the same microtubular structure as cilia) cannot beat. Azoospermia (absence of sperm) is characteristic of conditions like Cystic Fibrosis (due to congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens) or obstructive pathologies, not PCD [2]. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Situs Inversus:** This is the hallmark of Kartagener syndrome (seen in 50% of PCD cases). It occurs because ciliary motion is essential for the normal left-right rotation of internal organs during embryonic development. * **Bronchiectasis:** Chronic failure of the "mucociliary escalator" leads to recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, eventually causing permanent dilation of the bronchi [1]. * **Sinusitis:** Impaired clearance of mucus from the paranasal sinuses leads to chronic inflammation and recurrent sinusitis [1]. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **The Triad:** Kartagener syndrome is defined by the triad of **Situs inversus, Bronchiectasis, and Sinusitis.** [1] * **Diagnosis:** The screening test of choice is the **Saccharin test** (delayed transit time), while the gold standard is **Electron Microscopy** showing dynein arm defects. * **Female Infertility:** Females also face reduced fertility due to impaired ciliary action in the fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancies. * **Dextrocardia:** Often the first clue on a chest X-ray in these patients.

Q: Pulmonary hypertension in COPD is due to?

Constriction of pulmonary vessels. The primary mechanism for the development of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) in COPD is **Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction (HPV)**. In COPD, chronic alveolar hypoxia triggers the smooth muscles in the pulmonary arterioles to constrict. This is a physiological compensatory mechanism intended to divert blood flow away from poorly ventilated areas to better-ventilated ones (improving V/Q matching). However, when hypoxia is generalized, it leads to widespread **constriction of pulmonary vessels**, increasing pulmonary vascular resistance and resulting in PH [1]. **Analysis of Options:** * **A. Constriction of pulmonary vessels (Correct):** This is the direct hemodynamic cause of increased pressure [1]. Chronic constriction eventually leads to vascular remodeling (intimal hyperplasia and smooth muscle hypertrophy), making the PH permanent. * **B. Hypoxia (Incorrect):** While hypoxia is the *trigger* or the underlying stimulus, the question asks for the mechanism *due to* which PH occurs. Hypoxia causes PH *via* the constriction of vessels. * **C. Interstitial fibrosis (Incorrect):** This is the hallmark of Restrictive Lung Diseases (like IPF), not COPD (which is an obstructive disease characterized by alveolar destruction/emphysema) [3]. * **D. Bronchoconstriction (Incorrect):** This refers to the narrowing of the airways, which causes airflow obstruction but does not directly increase pulmonary arterial pressure. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Cor Pulmonale:** PH in COPD eventually leads to right ventricular hypertrophy and failure, known as Cor Pulmonale. * **ECG Findings:** Look for 'P-pulmonale' (tall, peaked P waves in lead II) and right axis deviation. * **Management:** Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is the only intervention proven to slow the progression of PH in COPD by reducing hypoxic vasoconstriction [2].

Q: Right hemithorax with right side shift of the mediastinum is due to which of the following conditions?

Collapse of the right lung. **Explanation:** The direction of mediastinal shift is a critical diagnostic clue in evaluating an opaque hemithorax on a chest X-ray. The fundamental principle is whether the pathology **pulls** or **pushes** the mediastinum. **1. Why Option A is Correct:** **Collapse (Atelectasis)** of the right lung leads to a significant loss of lung volume. This creates negative intrathoracic pressure on the affected side, which acts as a vacuum, **pulling** the mediastinum, trachea, and heart toward the side of the lesion (ipsilateral shift). Therefore, a right-sided collapse causes a right-sided mediastinal shift. **2. Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Options B (Hemothorax) and C (Hydrothorax):** These represent pleural effusions (blood and fluid, respectively). Large accumulations of fluid occupy space and increase pressure within the pleural cavity, **pushing** the mediastinum away from the affected side (contralateral shift). In a right-sided effusion, the mediastinum shifts to the left. * **Option D (Bronchiectasis):** While chronic bronchiectasis can lead to secondary fibrosis and some volume loss, it typically does not cause a massive mediastinal shift unless it is associated with total lung collapse or extensive unilateral destruction. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Ipsilateral Shift (Towards the lesion):** Think **"Pull"** pathologies — Lung collapse, Pneumonectomy, or Pleural fibrosis/Fibrothorax. * **Contralateral Shift (Away from the lesion):** Think **"Push"** pathologies — Tension pneumothorax, Large pleural effusion, or Massive intrathoracic tumors [1]. * **No Shift:** If a complete opacification of the hemithorax occurs without any mediastinal shift, suspect a **bronchogenic carcinoma** where the collapse (pull) is balanced by the presence of a large hilar mass or associated effusion (push).

Question 1

A patient presents with low-grade fever and weight loss. On examination, there is poor excursion of the right side of the chest, decreased tactile fremitus, dullness to percussion, and decreased breath sounds on the right. The trachea is deviated to the left. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Pleural effusion

Answer

Pneumothorax

Answer

Consolidated pneumonia

Answer

Atelectasis

Question 2

A patient with known bronchial asthma presents with respiratory distress, a respiratory rate of 48/min, and can barely speak two words. Nebulized salbutamol was administered, after which the patient could speak a sentence, but SpO2 fell from 95% to 85%. What is the possible explanation for this fall in SpO2?

Accepted Answer

Ventilation-perfusion mismatch due to increased dead space ventilation

Answer

Intrathoracic shunting

Answer

Due to salbutamol

Answer

Faulty oximeter

Question 3

A 77-year-old woman fell and fractured her ankle. She has spent most of her time in bed for the past 16 days. She develops sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and diaphoresis. On examination, she has left thigh swelling and tenderness. A chest CT shows areas of decreased attenuation in the right and left pulmonary arteries. A day later she has difficulty speaking. MR angiography shows focal occlusion of a left middle cerebral artery branch. Which of the following cardiac abnormalities is she most likely to have?

Accepted Answer

Patent foramen ovale

Answer

Atrial myxoma

Answer

Infective endocarditis

Answer

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

Question 4

Which of the following does NOT define severe ARDS according to the Berlin Definition of ARDS?

Accepted Answer

PaO2/FiO2 < 200

Answer

Acute onset within 1 week

Answer

Bilateral alveolar opacities on imaging

Answer

Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Question 5

Which of the following is true about pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary embolism is not a medical emergency.

Answer

ECG shows a right ventricular strain pattern.

Answer

The PAO2-PaO2 difference is normal.

Answer

ECG also shows a typical S1Q3 T3 pattern.

Question 6

What is the best and earliest bedside clinical sign of respiratory pump failure?

Accepted Answer

Paradoxical respiratory motions (abdominal respiration or paradox)

Answer

Use of intercostal muscles (accessory muscles of respiration)

Answer

Tachypnea

Answer

Cyanosis

Question 7

The complication least likely to occur in a case of chronic bronchitis is:

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer

Pulmonary hypertension

Answer

Respiratory acidosis

Answer

Polycythemia

Question 8

All of the following are seen in Kartagener syndrome except?

Accepted Answer

Azoospermia

Answer

Bronchiectasis

Answer

Situs inversus

Answer

Sinusitis

Question 9

Pulmonary hypertension in COPD is due to?

Accepted Answer

Constriction of pulmonary vessels

Answer

Hypoxia

Answer

Interstitial fibrosis

Answer

Bronchoconstriction

Question 10

Right hemithorax with right side shift of the mediastinum is due to which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Collapse of the right lung

Answer

Right-sided hemothorax

Answer

Right-sided hydrothorax

Answer

Bronchiectasis

Pulmonology — MCQs

Pulmonology — MCQs

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