Which chronic lung disease is described as a chronic condition with damaged alveoli and is typically treated with oxygen therapy?

• A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
• C. Anaphylaxis
• D. Delirium

Answer: (A)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a long‑term lung condition in which airflow is limited due to damage to the airways and alveoli, often from emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The destruction of alveolar walls reduces the surface area for gas exchange, leading to low oxygen levels in the blood and breathing difficulty. Because oxygen levels can become chronically low, many people with COPD rely on supplemental oxygen therapy to maintain adequate tissue oxygenation and ease the workload on the heart.

The other options aren’t chronic alveolar-destructive lung diseases: a spontaneous pneumothorax is an acute collapse of a lung due to air in the pleural space; anaphylaxis is a rapid, systemic allergic reaction; delirium is an acute brain function disturbance.