Question

An 85-year-old male presents with complaints of a cough. On initial observation, a barrel chest deformity and pursed lip breathing are noted. The clinician is immediately suspicious of COPD but also understands which of the following to be true? a. A barrel chest may be an illusion and increases the probability of COPD by less than 15%. b. Pursed lip breathing is pathognomonic (diagnostic) for COPD. c. The absence of accessory muscle use always argues against the presence of COPD. d. The finding of a barrel chest has high specificity and, therefore, its presence is highly diagnostic for COPD.

          An 85-year-old male presents with complaints of a cough. On initial observation, a barrel chest deformity and pursed lip breathing are noted. The clinician is immediately suspicious of COPD but also understands which of the following to be true?

a. A barrel chest may be an illusion and increases the probability of COPD by less than 15%.
b. Pursed lip breathing is pathognomonic (diagnostic) for COPD.
c. The absence of accessory muscle use always argues against the presence of COPD.
d. The finding of a barrel chest has high specificity and, therefore, its presence is highly diagnostic for COPD.

Added by Sara J.

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