COPD USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 61 year old man presents with chronic productive cough for several years and worsening dyspnea. He has smoked 1.5 packs of cigarettes daily since age 18. Physical examination shows cyanosis, wheezing, and bilateral ankle edema. Which of the following pathologic changes is most strongly associated with this patient's pulmonary disease?
Answer choices
- ACaseating granulomas with apical cavitation
- BFibroblast foci with honeycombing of the lower lobes
- CIncreased Reid index from mucus gland hyperplasiaCorrect answer
- DEnlargement of air spaces distal to terminal bronchioles
- ENoncaseating granulomas and elevated angiotensin converting enzyme
- FDestruction of elastic fibers in the alveolar walls with loss of elastic recoil
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