Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What pulmonary function test findings are typical in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

1. Reduction of TLC and RV

2. Mild to severe dyspnea with hypoxemia

3. Normal FVC with no changes in FEV1

4. Reduction of FEV1 with increase in TLC and RV

The correct answer is: Reduction of FEV1 with increase in TLC and RV

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary function test findings typically show a reduction in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) along with an increase in total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV). This pattern is indicative of the obstruction to airflow that characterizes COPD. The reduction in FEV1 is a hallmark of obstructive airway disease and reflects the patient's difficulty in expelling air from the lungs. As a result, functional residual capacity increases due to air trapping, which subsequently leads to an increase in both TLC and RV. These findings demonstrate the loss of elastic recoil in the lungs, contributing to the air trapping seen in COPD. Understanding this pathophysiological evolution is critical for recognizing the implications for a patient's respiratory status and the management of their disease. This is particularly relevant when assessing the severity of COPD and tailoring treatment strategies appropriately. In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the typical findings in individuals with COPD. Notably, the presence of normal FVC with unchanged FEV1 does not characterize obstructive diseases, and reductions in TLC and RV would not be expected in this patient population, as these would suggest restrictive rather than obstructive pathology.