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Chapter 22. Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
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A 50-year-old female has worsening exertional dyspnea. For 10 years she has coughed up whitish to occasionally yellow-green phlegm most days. Two years ago, she had dyspnea while climbing stairs. Six months ago, she became dyspneic after walking 20 meters on a flat surface. Her past medical history includes childhood asthma, anxiety, and hypertension. She previously smoked two packs of cigarettes/day starting at age 18 years, but reduced that to one pack/day two years ago. Physical exam reveals an alert, thin woman. Vital signs are: BP = 150/90 mm Hg, pulse = 108/min, f = 28/min, TB = 98.2°F (36.8°C). She has a prolonged expiratory phase, bronchovesicular breath sounds, and low-pitched wheezes bilaterally. Which of the following post-bronchodilator measurements is most consistent with a presumptive diagnosis of COPD in this patient?
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a. FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normal for age, gender, and height
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b. FEV1/FVC <80% of predicted for age, gender, and height
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c. TLC <80% of predicted for age, gender, and height
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e. Steep downward slope of the expiratory limb of her flow-volume loop
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The most correct answer is a.
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A 55-year-old male is referred by the emergency department (ED) physician to pulmonary clinic for evaluation of dyspnea. He has long-standing progressive dyspnea and minimal cough without sputum production for the past 10 years. He has smoked two packs per day since age 15 years. Physical exam reveals a barrel chest and decreased breath sounds on both lung fields. Spirometry shows his FEV1 = 40% of predicted with an FEV1/FVC ratio = 58% of predicted. His SaO2 by pulse oximetry is 88%. A high-resolution chest CT reveals diffuse emphysematous changes bilaterally. Which of the following is most associated with improved ...