Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Also written as COPD.
A 72-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with pneumonia.
What our notes say
- A 72-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with pneumonia. (Chemical Path, Long Answer and Short Answer)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) — Year 4 Internal Medicine (Respiratory) Notes (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD))
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease — Emphysema vs Chronic Bronchitis (Cardiovascular & Respiratory Pathology: Atherosclerosis, RHD & MI Review)
- List five risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (5 marks) (End Sem Cat: Respiratory Pathology: Emphysema, ARDS, Pneumoconiosis)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease → recurrent infections (Pseudomonas, Staph aureus) (Genetic Disorders Pathology Crash Course: Exam Revision Notes)
- Indications: End-stage conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Cystic Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. (Endocrine & Renal Pathology — Must Know Notes)
Study material on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Examination of Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular & Respiratory Pathology: Atherosclerosis, RHD & MI Review
- Weekly Year 3: Medical Mycology Exam - August 21, 2026 (Sections B & C)
- ACIDOSIS AND ALKALOSIS MCQs
- Weekly Pathology Exam - May 15, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Pathology Exam - May 1, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
Practice questions on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
A 62-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease develops cor pulmonale with right ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the following mechanisms best explains the adaptive change in the right ventricle?
- Increased number of myocardial cells
- Increased size of existing myocardial cells
- Replacement of myocardium with fibrous tissue
- Metaplasia of cardiac myocytes
- Accumulation of interstitial fluid ANSWER: B
Answer: B. Cardiac myocytes are permanent cells that cannot divide. Hypertrophy results from increased workload (pressure overload from pulmonary hypertension) causing increased synthesis of myofilaments and enlargement of existing cells, not an increase in cell number. ---
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has ABG results showing pH 7.28, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3- 26 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
- Metabolic acidosis
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Respiratory acidosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C. ** The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is elevated (>45 mmHg), and HCO3- is normal. This indicates respiratory acidosis caused by inadequate ventilation and CO2 retention, typical in COPD. ---
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has ABG results showing pH 7.28, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3- 26 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
- Metabolic acidosis
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Respiratory acidosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C. The low pH (acidosis) and high PaCO2 (hypercapnia) indicate a primary respiratory acidosis. The HCO3- is slightly elevated, suggesting some metabolic compensation.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has ABG results showing pH 7.28, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3- 26 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
- Metabolic acidosis
- Respiratory acidosis
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B. The pH of 7.28 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (normal 35-45 mmHg) indicates respiratory involvement. The HCO3- of 26 mEq/L (normal 22-26 mEq/L) is in the normal range, indicating that the primary problem is respiratory and there is some, but not full, metabolic compensation. This points to an acute or partially compensated respiratory acidosis.