he DLCO is "decreased" in patients with Chronic BronchitisGroup of answer choicesTrueFalse

Answer to the Question

The statement "the DLCO is 'decreased' in patients with Chronic Bronchitis" is False.

Explanation

In patients with chronic bronchitis, the diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is typically normal or increased. Chronic bronchitis primarily affects the airways, leading to inflammation and mucus production, but it does not significantly impair the alveolar-capillary membrane involved in gas exchange. Therefore, the DLCO is usually preserved.

In contrast, conditions that affect the parenchyma (like emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis) would show a decreased DLCO. Therefore, when evaluating DLCO in the context of chronic bronchitis, it would not be expected to be decreased.