Which physical assessment finding is typical for advanced COPD?

In advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an increased anteroposterior (AP) chest diameter is a common physical assessment finding, often referred to as "barrel chest." This change occurs due to air trapping in the lungs caused by alveolar damage, which leads to decreased elasticity and makes it challenging for the affected individual to fully exhale. Over time, this results in a thoracic configuration that reflects the increased volume of the lungs and expanded thoracic cavity.

The barrel-shaped chest can generally be observed during physical examination, highlighting the impact of emphysema or chronic bronchitis on lung function and structure. In contrast, other options such as increased chest excursions with respiration would not typically be found in advanced COPD; instead, one might observe limited expansion due to hyperinflation. Similarly, collapsed neck veins are not characteristic of COPD and could indicate other conditions, such as hypovolemia. Underdeveloped neck muscles do not represent a typical associated finding with COPD; rather, muscle wasting may occur due to chronic illness but is not exclusive to the respiratory system. Thus, the increased anteroposterior chest diameter is a key indicator of advanced COPD reflecting the structural changes in the thorax that result from long-standing