A patient has increased thickness of alveolar-capillary membrane caused by a pathologic process. The direct consequence will be reduction of the following value:

Answer options

1. Diffusing lung capacity
2. Oxygen capacity of blood
3. Expiratory reserve volume
4. Respiratory minute volume
5. Alveolar ventilation of lungs

Explanation

A patient has increased thickness of alveolar-capillary membrane caused by a pathologic process. The direct consequence will be reduction of the following value:The alveolar-capillary membrane is thin which allows the transfer of gases so its thickness will do otherwise. DLC measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from the alveolar space to the RBC in the pulmonary vessel, so when the alveolar membrane becomes thick, the DLC reduces as gases are not really transferred.