ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

What condition can emphysema lead to in the lungs?

1. Pneumoconiosis

2. Infection

3. Respiratory failure

4. Chronic bronchitis

The correct answer is: Respiratory failure

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that is primarily characterized by the destruction of the alveoli, which are the small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. This destruction results in decreased elasticity of the lung tissue, leading to difficulty in exhaling air. Over time, as the disease progresses, the lungs become less efficient at transferring oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide, which can ultimately result in respiratory failure. Respiratory failure occurs when the respiratory system is unable to maintain adequate gas exchange, leading to low levels of oxygen and/or elevated carbon dioxide in the blood. In patients with emphysema, this can be due to a combination of factors: air trapping in the damaged alveoli, reduced surface area for gas exchange, and difficulties in breathing, all contributing to a decline in respiratory function. Other conditions like pneumoconiosis, infections, or chronic bronchitis can also affect the lungs, but they do not directly result from the pathophysiology of emphysema itself. Instead, they represent separate entities or conditions that can occur in the lungs but are not a direct complication of emphysema. Therefore, recognizing that the progressive nature of emphysema specifically leads to respiratory failure is crucial in understanding the complications that can