Asthma USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 78-year-old nonsmoking woman with no history of lung disease presents for annual examination. She remains active, walking daily without dyspnea. Vital signs: BP 128/76 mmHg, HR 72/min, RR 16/min, SpO2 98% on room air. Physical examination is unremarkable. Recent spirometry shows FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.78. She denies orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Compared with measurements at age 25, which respiratory system change is most likely present?
Answer choices
- ADecreased residual volume
- BIncreased vital capacity
- CIncreased chest wall compliance
- DIncreased lung complianceCorrect answer
- EDecreased A a gradient
- FIncreased elastic recoil of lung tissue
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