Question

Erica is accompanying her grandmother to the doctor to learn more about her grandmother's diagnosis and emphysema when Erica asks the doctor why emphysema makes it difficult to breathe how is the doctor most likely to respond
Her diaphragm is unable to relax enough for her to inhale
Her trachea has become too narrow with age
She does not have enough functional alveoli in her lungs
The coating of her lungs has worn off, making them unable to contract

Answer 1

She does not have enough functional alveoli in her lungs.

Emphysema destroys alveolar walls and elastic fibers, reducing surface area for gas exchange and lung recoil. That leads to air trapping and difficulty breathing (especially exhaling). The other choices describe different problems not characteristic of emphysema.