Which of the following is a late sign of COPD?

Prepare for the Galen Medical Surgical Exam 2. Utilize engaging quizzes with hints and explanations designed to enhance your learning experience and improve your exam readiness!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a late sign of COPD?

Explanation:
Cyanosis is a late sign because it reflects chronic hypoxemia from long-standing COPD. As the disease progresses, gas exchange worsens and tissues receive less oxygen, causing deoxygenated hemoglobin to give a bluish discoloration to the lips, mucous membranes, and nail beds. Early features of COPD—like a productive cough from mucus production and shortness of breath on exertion—arise from airway inflammation and airflow limitation and often appear before hypoxemia becomes severe. Headaches can occur with CO2 retention but are not as reliable or defining a late-stage indicator as cyanosis.

Cyanosis is a late sign because it reflects chronic hypoxemia from long-standing COPD. As the disease progresses, gas exchange worsens and tissues receive less oxygen, causing deoxygenated hemoglobin to give a bluish discoloration to the lips, mucous membranes, and nail beds. Early features of COPD—like a productive cough from mucus production and shortness of breath on exertion—arise from airway inflammation and airflow limitation and often appear before hypoxemia becomes severe. Headaches can occur with CO2 retention but are not as reliable or defining a late-stage indicator as cyanosis.

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