What term refers to several diseases that result in obstructive problems in the airway?

• A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• B. Code
• C. Cold Zone
• D. Company

Answer: (A)

Obstructive airway diseases describe conditions where airflow out of the lungs is impeded, usually due to narrowing or destruction of the airways. The term that encompasses several diseases with this problem is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema and is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible, often progressive and associated with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, and sputum production. The other terms listed aren’t related to a group of airway-obstructing diseases, so COPD best fits the description.