Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

How can emphysema be described?

1. Swelling, inflammation, and thickening of bronchioles

2. Destruction of alveolar walls

3. Presence of clubbing nails

4. Productive cough and overweight

The correct answer is: Destruction of alveolar walls

Emphysema is a lung condition where the alveolar walls, which are responsible for gas exchange, are damaged or destroyed. This leads to a decrease in lung function and difficulty breathing. Option A is incorrect because it describes bronchiolitis, which is a different condition that affects smaller airways in the lungs. Option C is incorrect because it refers to a physical symptom that can be present in a variety of lung diseases, not just emphysema. Option D is incorrect because while a cough can be a symptom of emphysema, being overweight is not a defining characteristic of the disease.