Predisposing Factors

Precipitating Factors

Age
Genetics
Socioeconomic Status

Smoker
Second hand smoker
Exposure to air pollution
Recurrent respiratory
infection

Inflammation and fibrosis of the bronchial wall,

along with excess mucus secretion

Obstructs airflow and cause mismatching of

ventilation and perfusion

Destruction of alveolar tissue decreases the surface area

for gas exchange and loss of elastic fibers leads airway
collapse

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Infiltration of lymphocytes,
macrophages, and polymorphonuclear
leukocytes in the mucosal areas

The elastin and fiber network of the

alveoli are broken

Vasodilation, congestion, and edema of

the bronchial mucosa

As a compensatory mechanism, the

alveoli enlarge but the walls are
damaged

Thickening due to excessive mucus plug

formation and rigidity of bronchi.

Narrowing of air passages

Consistent destruction of the alveoli and

alveolar walls

Enlargement of acini

Reduction in the alveolar diffusing

space and some tissue changes

Chronic Bronchitis

Pulmonary Emphysema

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary

Disease

Legend:
-

COPD disease process

COPD subtype disease process

Precipitating and Predisposing Factors

Disease process main flow

Possible disease process flow

Source/Reference:
Porth, C. (2002). Alterations in Respiration: Alterations in Ventilation and Gas Exchange. In Pathophysiology: Concepts of altered
health states (6th ed., pp. 645-646). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Cardinoza, J. (2012). Schematic diagram of copd. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from
http://www.slideshare.net/JaneRoseCardinoza/schematic-diagram-of-copd

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