The Question is from neet-zoology breathing-and-exchange-of-gases , and it was created by the author Mr. BALACHANDRA.N

Question

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiences difficulty exhaling completely. Which of the following physiological changes is LEAST likely to contribute to this impaired exhalation?

Mr. BALACHANDRA.N · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: C
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
 **Primary Concept**: Mechanisms of Expiration in the Respiratory System
 **Related Topics**: COPD Pathophysiology, Lung Mechanics, Airway Resistance, Elastic Recoil
 **Prerequisites**: Understanding of Boyle's Law, lung volumes and capacities, and the roles of elastic recoil and airway resistance in breathing.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
  COPD patient with difficulty exhaling.
  Options describing potential physiological changes.
**Method & Steps**:
 1. Analyze each option to determine its contribution to impaired exhalation.
  Reasoning:  Normal exhalation is a passive process relying on elastic recoil of the lungs and relaxation of respiratory muscles.  Obstructions hinder this process.
 2. Identify the option that would *facilitate*, rather than hinder, exhalation.
  Working: Let's examine each option:
        * A. Loss of elastic recoil: This makes exhalation more difficult, as the lungs cannot passively recoil to their resting volume.
        * B. Airway obstruction: This directly impedes airflow out of the lungs.
        * C. Increased lung compliance:  Compliance refers to how easily the lungs expand. Increased compliance would actually *ease* exhalation, as the lungs would more readily deflate.
        * D. Collapse of smaller airways: This further obstructs airflow, making exhalation harder.
 3. Determine the least likely contributor.
  Result: Increased lung compliance (option C) is the least likely contributor to impaired exhalation in COPD. 
  Verification:  All other options directly contribute to the difficulty in expelling air from the lungs.  Increased compliance would make exhalation easier.
 ## OPTION ANALYSIS
A :x: Loss of elastic recoil directly contributes to impaired exhalation in COPD because the lungs can't recoil efficiently.
B :x: Airway obstruction, due to mucus and inflammation, is a hallmark of COPD, directly hindering exhalation.
C ✓: Increased lung compliance would actually make exhalation easier, so it's the least likely contributor to the problem.
D :x: Collapse of smaller airways during exhalation (dynamic airway compression) is a significant factor in COPD's impaired exhalation.
 ## LEARNING AIDS
 **Common Mistakes**:
  1.Confusing compliance and elasticity:  Compliance is the ease of expansion, while elasticity is the tendency to return to the resting state.  High compliance doesn't always mean good elasticity.
  2.Overlooking the passive nature of exhalation:  Remember that normal exhalation is primarily passive, driven by elastic recoil.
 **Quick Tips**:
  1.Focus on the impact of each option on the ease of lung deflation.
  2.Consider the opposite: What would make exhalation *easier*? That's the least likely contributor to difficulty.

Mr. BALACHANDRA.N · Answer

Loss of elastic recoil in the lungs

Mr. BALACHANDRA.N · Answer

Airway obstruction due to mucus and inflammation

Mr. BALACHANDRA.N · Answer

The correct Option is "Increased lung compliance"

Mr. BALACHANDRA.N · Answer

Collapse of smaller airways during exhalation

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