JBL EMT Practice Exam

The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is mainly due to:

1. chronic stretching of the alveolar walls

2. massive constriction of the bronchioles

3. repeated exposure to cigarette smoke

4. acute fluid accumulation in the alveoli

The correct answer is: chronic stretching of the alveolar walls

The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is mainly due to chronic stretching of the alveolar walls. Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is characterized by the destruction of the alveoli in the lungs. This destruction leads to the enlargement and loss of elasticity of the alveoli, resulting in reduced surface area for gas exchange and decreased lung function. As a result, there is difficulty in exhaling air, which causes respiratory distress in individuals with emphysema. Options B, C, and D are not correct because they do not directly explain the primary cause of respiratory distress in emphysema. Option B refers to bronchoconstriction, which is more commonly associated with conditions like asthma. Option C mentions cigarette smoke as a risk factor for developing emphysema but does not explain the mechanism of respiratory distress in the disease. Option D describes acute fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which is a characteristic of conditions like pulmonary edema, not emphysema.