Which of the following is FALSE regarding emphysema?

• A. Patients with emphysema often experience shortness of breath due to impaired airflow.
• B. Emphysema results in increased elasticity of the lung tissue.
• C. Emphysema is commonly associated with long-term exposure to cigarette smoke.
• D. Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls, leading to decreased surface area for gas exchange.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding what emphysema is. Emphysema is a chronic respiratory condition that primarily affects the alveoli in the lungs, leading to impaired gas exchange and difficulty breathing.
2. Step 2: Review the characteristics of emphysema. It is commonly associated with long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, and it involves the destruction of alveolar walls, which reduces the surface area available for gas exchange.
3. Step 3: Analyze the statement about elasticity. Emphysema results in decreased elasticity of lung tissue, not increased elasticity. This is because the destruction of alveolar walls and loss of structural integrity make the lungs less able to recoil effectively during exhalation.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the other statements provided. Patients with emphysema often experience shortness of breath due to impaired airflow, and this is true. Similarly, the association with cigarette smoke and the destruction of alveolar walls are accurate descriptions of the condition.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the false statement is the one claiming that emphysema results in increased elasticity of lung tissue, as this contradicts the physiological changes observed in the disease.