A Person with Emphysema Will Exhibit Signs Of

Question

A person with emphysema will exhibit signs of
A) chronic respiratory acidosis.
B) chronic respiratory alkalosis.
C) acute respiratory acidosis.
D) chronic metabolic acidosis.
E) metabolic alkalosis.

Accepted Answer

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that leads to irreversible damage to the lungs. This damage makes it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs, resulting in chronic respiratory acidosis, a condition in which too much carbon dioxide builds up in the body. The body compensates for this by retaining bicarbonate ions, leading to an overall acidic pH. Therefore, option A is the best choice.