Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What is a significant characteristic of emphysema?

1. Tachycardia

2. Obesity

3. Pink complexion

4. Pulsus paradoxus

The correct answer is: Pink complexion

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing and impaired gas exchange. A significant characteristic of individuals with emphysema is often referred to as a "pink puffer" phenotype, which describes their typical appearance. These patients may maintain a relatively pink complexion due to the chronic low-level hypoxia, and their breathing pattern often becomes labored as they engage accessory muscles to exhale. This characteristic stands out as it reflects the nature of emphysema, wherein patients may be thin due to the increased energy expenditure required for breathing, yet their skin tone usually remains a healthier shade because they can still oxygenate their blood to some extent despite their respiratory issues. In contrast, tachycardia refers to a rapid heartbeat, which can occur in various situations, and is not exclusive to emphysema. Obesity is not a typical characteristic of emphysema patients, who generally present as slender due to their increased work of breathing and potential loss of muscle mass. Pulsus paradoxus is a drop in blood pressure during inhalation indicative of certain conditions like severe asthma or cardiac tamponade but is not a primary characteristic of