Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What factor is associated with the increased total lung capacity seen in COPD patients?

1. Obstructive lung disease

2. Restrictive lung disease

3. Effective respiratory function

4. Nutritional status

The correct answer is: Obstructive lung disease

In individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the total lung capacity (TLC) is often increased due to the characteristic obstruction of airflow associated with this condition. In COPD, the airways become narrowed, making it difficult for air to exit the lungs fully. This leads to a buildup of air in the lungs, which results in hyperinflation and an increase in overall lung capacity. Obstructive lung diseases, such as COPD, are marked by this retention of air and the inability to fully expel all the air during expiration. As a consequence, patients will typically exhibit increased TLC, along with other measures such as residual volume and functional residual capacity. The other options, such as restrictive lung disease, pertain to conditions where lung volumes are reduced, and effective respiratory function or nutritional status do not directly correspond to the specific mechanism of increased total lung capacity in COPD patients. Therefore, understanding the nature of obstructive lung diseases is key to explaining the increase in total lung capacity seen in this patient population.