Which of the following is NOT true regarding a patient with emphysema?

In patients with emphysema, the characteristic changes in pulmonary function tests highlight the effects of this condition on lung mechanics. One key feature of emphysema is the destruction of the alveoli which leads to hyperinflation of the lungs. This results in an increase in the amount of air trapped in the lungs, particularly after expiration.

A reduced Residual Volume (RV) is not typical in emphysema; in fact, these patients usually exhibit an increased RV due to the loss of elastic recoil in the lungs. This loss affects the ability to fully exhale, which leads to air trapping and subsequently elevates the residual volume. This air trapping contributes to the increased Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) often observed in emphysema patients.

The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is significantly reduced in emphysema, leading to a decreased FEV1/FVC ratio. Similarly, the elevated Functional Residual Capacity reflects the retained air due to difficulty in exhalation. Therefore, patients with emphysema experience difficulty exhaling air, as the damaged alveoli cannot efficiently facilitate the expulsion of air from the lungs.

Thus, the assertion that patients with emphysema have a reduced Residual Volume is not