COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

What is the primary pathology associated with COPD?

1. Airway obstruction

2. Infection

3. Cell division

4. Vascular spasm

The correct answer is: Airway obstruction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is primarily characterized by airway obstruction, which results from pathological changes in the lungs and airways. In COPD, there is a progressive and irreversible limitation of airflow due to the combination of emphysema (destruction of lung tissue) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation and narrowing of airways). This obstruction leads to difficulty in exhaling air from the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough. The significance of airway obstruction lies in its impact on ventilation and gas exchange, which can result in decreased oxygen levels in the blood and an increased carbon dioxide level. This pathology is largely driven by long-term exposure to irritants, with smoking being the most common cause, and it often worsens over time. While infection, cell division, and vascular spasms can have their roles in other respiratory conditions, they do not define the primary pathology of COPD. Infection may exacerbate the condition, but it is not the underlying cause. Cell division is more relevant to processes such as cancer, and vascular spasms primarily relate to cardiovascular diseases rather than the obstructive nature of COPD. Hence, airway obstruction is the key characteristic that defines this chronic and progressive disease.