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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

COPD or Asthma Quiz: What Do Your Symptoms Suggest?

Quick, free COPD vs asthma quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Anna NguyenUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art lungs inhaler on coral background quiz banner for respiratory health test COPD and asthma

This COPD or asthma quiz helps you compare symptoms, triggers, and risk factors so you can tell how they differ. Answer quick multiple-choice questions and get instant feedback to guide your next steps. If wheeze or breathlessness is your focus, try our do i have asthma quiz, and use our cough symptom checker to explore cough patterns. This is for learning, not a diagnosis.

What is the main distinguishing feature of asthma compared to COPD?
Higher prevalence in smokers
Persistent irreversible airflow limitation
Airflow obstruction that is largely reversible
Common occurrence in older adults only
Asthma is characterized by airway obstruction that is largely reversible with bronchodilators, whereas COPD results in more fixed obstruction. Reversibility is a hallmark of asthma management and diagnosis.
Which cell type predominates in the airway inflammation of COPD?
Neutrophils
Basophils
Eosinophils
Mast cells
COPD lung inflammation is dominated by neutrophils, which contribute to tissue damage and mucus hypersecretion. In contrast, asthma usually features eosinophilic inflammation.
Which of the following is a primary risk factor for developing COPD?
Long-term cigarette smoking
High altitude living
Seasonal allergies
Childhood viral infections
Long-term cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD worldwide, accounting for most cases by inducing chronic airway inflammation. Other inhaled toxins can also contribute.
Which symptom is most characteristic of both COPD and asthma?
Chronic cough
Clubbing
Hemoptysis
Wheezing
Wheezing due to airflow obstruction is common in both asthma and COPD. Chronic cough can occur in both but wheezing is the hallmark symptom of reversible and fixed obstruction.
Which diagnostic test is essential to confirm airflow obstruction in COPD and asthma?
Pulse oximetry
CT scan of the chest
Spirometry
Chest X-ray
Spirometry measures FEV1 and FVC to confirm airflow obstruction and assess reversibility, making it essential for diagnosing both asthma and COPD. Imaging can support but not confirm diagnosis.
In COPD, the ratio of FEV1 to FVC is usually:
Exactly 0.75
Above 0.8
Below 0.7
Around 1.0
A post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7 confirms persistent airflow limitation consistent with COPD according to GOLD. This threshold distinguishes obstructive patterns.
Which of these is NOT a typical symptom of COPD exacerbation?
Increased dyspnea
Purulent sputum production
Sudden weight gain
Worsening cough
Weight gain is not a typical feature of COPD exacerbations, which usually include increased dyspnea, cough, and sputum changes. Acute exacerbations worsen obstructive symptoms.
What does a significant bronchodilator response indicate in spirometry?
Fixed obstruction typical of COPD
Reversible airway obstruction, suggesting asthma
Restrictive lung disease
Pulmonary embolism
A significant rise in FEV1 (>12% and 200 mL) after bronchodilator suggests reversible airway obstruction, characteristic of asthma. COPD shows less reversibility.
Which inhaler type delivers medication as a dry powder and requires a strong inhalation?
Nebulizer
Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
Soft mist inhaler
Dry powder inhaler (DPI)
Dry powder inhalers require a forceful, deep inhalation to disperse the powder. MDIs use propellants, and nebulizers and soft mist inhalers have different mechanisms.
Which GOLD stage corresponds to severe COPD with FEV1 30 - 49% predicted?
GOLD 3
GOLD 2
GOLD 1
GOLD 4
GOLD stage 3 defines severe COPD with FEV1 30 - 49% of predicted. GOLD 1 is mild, 2 is moderate, and 4 is very severe.
Which of the following therapies is first-line for persistent asthma but often added later in COPD?
Anticholinergic
Short-acting beta agonist
Oxygen therapy
Inhaled corticosteroid
Inhaled corticosteroids are first-line for persistent asthma to control inflammation; in COPD they are added for frequent exacerbations or severe disease.
Which blood test marker is elevated in asthma but less specific in COPD?
Neutrophil count
Eosinophil count
Platelet count
Monocyte count
Eosinophils are often elevated in allergic asthma and can predict steroid responsiveness; COPD may have neutrophilic patterns instead.
Which comorbidity is most commonly associated with COPD?
Psoriasis
Type 1 diabetes
Epilepsy
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is common in COPD due to chronic inflammation, corticosteroid use, and reduced physical activity. Diabetes and psoriasis are less specific associations.
What is the role of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in lung disease?
Protects against COPD
Results in pulmonary hypertension only
Causes asthma-like hyperreactivity
Leads to emphysema by unopposed neutrophil elastase activity
Alpha-1 antitrypsin normally inhibits neutrophil elastase. Deficiency leads to unchecked elastase activity and panacinar emphysema, a form of COPD.
Which mechanism best explains air trapping in COPD?
Small airway closure during exhalation
Increased lung elastic recoil
Hyperactive airway smooth muscle contraction
Excessive surfactant production
In COPD, loss of elastic recoil and airway wall inflammation cause small airway collapse during exhalation, leading to air trapping and hyperinflation.
Which long-term intervention has been shown to slow FEV1 decline in COPD?
Regular antibiotic therapy
Oral theophylline
Inhaled corticosteroids alone
Smoking cessation
Smoking cessation is the only intervention proven to slow lung function decline in COPD. Pharmacotherapy can improve symptoms but not FEV1 trajectory.
Which inflammatory mediator is elevated in COPD exacerbations?
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
Interleukin-5
Transforming growth factor-beta
Immunoglobulin E
TNF-alpha levels rise during COPD exacerbations, contributing to systemic inflammation. IL-5 is more linked to eosinophilic asthma.
How does pursed-lip breathing benefit patients with COPD?
Shrinks residual volume
Enhances oxygen diffusion
Creates positive airway pressure to prevent airway collapse
Increases alveolar surfactant
Pursed-lip breathing generates positive airway pressure during exhalation, stenting open airways and reducing dynamic hyperinflation in COPD.
Which maintenance therapy reduces mortality in severe COPD with chronic respiratory failure?
Continuous oxygen therapy
Intermittent antibiotics
Long-acting anticholinergics only
Daily oral steroids
Long-term oxygen therapy for at least 15 hours per day in patients with chronic hypoxemia improves survival in severe COPD.
What physiologic change most contributes to exercise limitation in COPD?
Increased diffusing capacity
Ventilation-perfusion matching
Dynamic hyperinflation
Elevated blood pH
Dynamic hyperinflation during exertion limits inspiratory capacity and contributes heavily to exercise intolerance in COPD.
Which comorbidity screening is recommended routinely in COPD patients?
Colon cancer screening irrespective of age
Genetic testing for CFTR
Coronary artery disease risk assessment
Routine brain MRI
COPD patients have elevated cardiovascular risk, and CAD assessment is recommended. Other tests should follow general population guidelines.
Which biomarker is under investigation to differentiate COPD phenotypes and guide targeted therapy?
Serum periostin
Troponin I
Fibrinogen
C-reactive protein
Serum periostin is being studied to identify eosinophilic phenotypes in COPD that may benefit from specific biologic therapies.
In COPD research, what does the 'frequent exacerbator' phenotype predict?
Higher future exacerbation rate and faster decline in lung function
No impact on disease progression
Reduced mortality risk
Improved response to short-acting bronchodilators
Frequent exacerbators experience more acute events, faster lung function decline, and increased mortality; identifying them guides intensification of therapy.
Which novel therapy targets inflammatory pathways in COPD by inhibiting neutrophil elastase?
Lonodelestat (neutrophil elastase inhibitor)
Alpha-1 antitrypsin augmentation
Roflumilast
Omalizumab
Lonodelestat is a neutrophil elastase inhibitor under investigation to reduce tissue destruction in COPD by blocking elastase-mediated damage.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Symptoms -

    Learn to distinguish between common COPD and asthma symptoms by reviewing characteristic signs such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough.

  2. Recognize Risk Factors -

    Understand the primary risk factors for COPD, including smoking history, environmental exposures, and genetic predispositions.

  3. Analyze Personal Signs -

    Interpret your own respiratory symptoms through targeted questions to assess whether they align more closely with COPD or asthma.

  4. Recall Essential COPD Facts -

    Memorize fundamental COPD facts and statistics to build a solid foundation of knowledge about disease progression and impact.

  5. Assess Your Respiratory Health -

    Use the "do i have copd or asthma quiz" to gauge your current lung function and identify areas for further medical evaluation.

  6. Apply Management Strategies -

    Discover practical approaches for managing COPD symptoms, from medication adherence to lifestyle modifications and breathing exercises.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Symptom Patterns and Triggers -

    Recognizing whether shortness of breath is reversible (as in asthma) or progressive (typical of COPD) is crucial; asthma often has identifiable triggers like pollen or exercise, whereas COPD symptoms worsen over time (source: American Thoracic Society). Remember "RACE" (Reversible Airflow, Childhood onset, Exercise”induced) to flag asthma vs. COPD's steady decline.

  2. Spirometry Basics: FEV₝/FVC Ratio -

    Spirometry measures forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₝) and forced vital capacity (FVC); a post-bronchodilator FEV₝/FVC ratio below 0.70 indicates airflow obstruction (GOLD guidelines). Picture a "7 - 0 gate" mnemonic - if your ratio won't clear the 70% bar after bronchodilator, think COPD quiz!

  3. Key Risk Factors and Mnemonics -

    Smoking remains the top COPD risk, but biomass exposure, occupational dust, and family history also matter (NIH). Use the "SAGE" mnemonic - Smoking, Age over 40, Genetics, Environmental pollutants - to recall major COPD quiz risk factors.

  4. Pharmacologic Management Overview -

    Inhaled bronchodilators (short- and long-acting beta agonists, anticholinergics) plus inhaled corticosteroids are mainstays; asthma often responds dramatically to ICS, while COPD requires combination therapy (NICE guidelines). Think "ABC" (Anticholinergics, Beta2-agonists, Corticosteroids) to structure your do i have copd quiz treatment knowledge.

  5. Exacerbation Red Flags and Comorbidity Check -

    Frequent exacerbations, chronic cough with sputum, weight loss, and cardiovascular disease raise the stakes in COPD (European Respiratory Journal). Incorporate the CAT (COPD Assessment Test) and mMRC dyspnea scale into your have i got copd quiz prep for a comprehensive risk assessment.

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