Regarding the effects of cigarette smoking

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Neutrophils and macrophages accumulate in alveoli due to smoking (A), likely from nicotine's chemotactic effects'. Choice B is false; heavy smoking clearly causes emphysema (centriacinar). Choice C is incorrect; smoking oxidatively inactivates α₁-antitrypsin, not reduces production, creating a 'functional' deficiency. Choice D is wrong; both neutrophils and macrophages drive emphysema, not macrophages alone. Page 721 confirms A's inflammatory cell influx, with oxidants tipping the protease-antiprotease balance, distinguishing it over B's denial or C's mechanism error.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Asbestos acts as a tumor initiator and promoter (D), uniquely among dusts. Choice A is false; family members risk exposure from workers' clothes. Choice B is incorrect; both mesothelioma and lung carcinoma are common. Choice C is wrong; serpentine fibers are less pathogenic (cleared easier) than amphiboles. Choice E (smoking increases carcinoma risk) is true. Page 736 confirms D's dual role asbestos induces mutations and promotes growth, distinguishing it over A's risk denial or C's fiber error.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Normal pulmonary blood pressure is 1/8 of systemic pressure (A), ≈15 mmHg vs. 120 mmHg. Choice B is false; pulmonary hypertension is usually secondary (e.g., lung disease). Choice C is incorrect; emphysema increases resistance via capillary loss, not vasoconstriction. Choice D is wrong; it's defined as mean pressure ≥25 mmHg, not tied to systemic. Choice E (sudden death from PE) is distinct. Page 743 confirms A's ratio low-pressure pulmonary circuit contrasts with B's primary claim or C's mechanism.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Community-acquired pneumonitis can mimic ARDS's alveolar damage pattern (A), e.g., diffuse injury. Choice B is false; involvement varies (patchy or lobar). Choice C is incorrect; pleural effusions are uncommon. Choice D is wrong; white cell count is mildly elevated. Choice E (no fibrosis) is true. Page 751 notes A's similarity organisms like Mycoplasma cause ARDS-like exudates in epidemics (schools/prisons), unlike B's uniformity or C's effusion claim.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Normally, 15 mL of serous acellular fluid lubricates pleura (A), maintaining low friction. Choice B is false; most effusions are secondary (e.g., CHF), not primary. Choice C is incorrect; hemorrhagic pleuritis is tumor-related. Choice D is wrong; hemothorax is from trauma/aortic rupture. Choice E (empyema from lung infection) is true. Page 766 (Table 15-14) confirms A's physiology small volume prevents adhesion, distinguishing it over B's primary claim or C's etiology error.