A 60-year-old woman with a history of emphysema has been referred by her pulmonologist for follow-up pulmonary function testing. During the test, the patient reaches a point where her airway pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. Which of the following is most likely to be found during this respiratory state?
APulmonary vascular resistance is at a maximum
BTransmural pressure of the lung-chest wall system is at a maximum
CTransmural pressure of the chest wall is at a minimum
DPulmonary vascular resistance is at a minimum
ETransmural pressure of the lung-chest wall system is at a minimum
A 55-year-old woman comes to the physician with a 6-month history of cough and dyspnea. She has smoked 1 pack of cigarettes daily for the past 30 years. Analysis of the sputum sample from bronchoalveolar lavage shows abnormal amounts of an isoform of elastase that is normally inhibited by alpha-1 antitrypsin. The cell responsible for secreting this elastase is most likely also responsible for which of the following functions?
APhagocytosis of foreign material
BProduction of lactoferrin
CDegradation of toxins
DSecretion of mucus
EDiffusion of gases
A 57-year-old man presents to the clinic for a chronic cough over the past 4 months. The patient reports a productive yellow/green cough that is worse at night. He denies any significant precipitating event prior to his symptoms. He denies fever, chest pain, palpitations, weight changes, or abdominal pain, but endorses some difficulty breathing that waxes and wanes. He denies alcohol usage but endorses a 35 pack-year smoking history. A physical examination demonstrates mild wheezes, bibasilar crackles, and mild clubbing of his fingertips. A pulmonary function test is subsequently ordered, and partial results are shown below: Tidal volume: 500 mL Residual volume: 1700 mL Expiratory reserve volume: 1500 mL Inspiratory reserve volume: 3000 mL What is the functional residual capacity of this patient?
A4500 mL
B2000 mL
C2200 mL
D3200 mL
E3500 mL
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