Question

A 60-year-old man presents with chronic exertional breathlessness and a productive cough. He has smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 40 years. On examination, there is reduced air entry bilaterally. What investigation is required to confirm the diagnosis of COPD?

Accepted Answer

Post-bronchodilator spirometry

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Full blood count

Answer

Peak expiratory flow rate monitoring

Answer

High-resolution CT thorax

Practice question

A 60-year-old man presents with chronic exertional breathlessness and a productive cough. He has smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 40 years. On examination, there is reduced air entry bilaterally. What investigation is required to confirm the diagnosis of COPD?