COPD USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 78-year-old woman presents for routine examination. She walks daily without dyspnea or cough. She denies smoking history. Vital signs show BP 138/82 mmHg, HR 76/min, RR 18/min, temperature 37.2°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Pulmonary function tests reveal FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.82. Physical examination shows clear lung fields bilaterally with no wheezes or crackles. Which age-related respiratory change is most likely present in this patient?
Answer choices
- AIncreased residual volumeCorrect answer
- BDecreased closing volume
- CIncreased vital capacity
- DDecreased alveolar arterial oxygen gradient
- EDecreased lung compliance
- FIncreased elastic recoil of the lungs
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