Question 17N.2.SL.TZ0.b
| Date | November 2017 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 2] | Reference code | 17N.2.SL.TZ0.b |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | b | Adapted from | N/A |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation. Classification of COPD as mild, moderate or severe is based on measurement of Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV), which is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled in one second.
The table shows the numbers of individuals in each COPD class and their mean FEV for a Swedish study of 349 people.
[Source: Reproduced with permission of the © ERS 2012. European Respiratory Journal Apr 2012, 39 (4) 839–845; DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00064611]
Explain how a low FEV can be used to indicate emphysema.
[2]
a. low FEV indicates inability to force out air/adequate volume of air
OWTTE
b. airflow limitation is the reason for inability to force out air/shortness of breath
c. inability to force out air/shortness of breath indicates emphysema
d. emphysema causes/involves breakdown of alveoli walls «so less elastin»
The idea that there are fewer alveoli to “push”
[Max 2 Marks]
