Advanced Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) Practice Test 2026 - Free PFT Practice Questions and Study Guide

Restrictive lung diseases are characterized by a decreased ability of the lungs to expand fully, which results in reduced lung volumes; however, they do not involve increased airway resistance. Instead, they are commonly associated with conditions that restrict lung expansion itself, such as pulmonary fibrosis, chest wall deformities, or neuromuscular disorders.

In contrast, obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), primarily impact the airflow out of the lungs. These conditions lead to difficulty in expelling air, which is due to airway narrowing or obstruction, rather than a restriction in lung volume.

The other options accurately represent characteristics of the respective lung disease types. For instance, restrictive lung diseases indeed lead to a decrease in lung volume, while obstructive lung diseases often show reversibility with bronchodilator medications, providing symptomatic relief and improving airflow during exacerbations. Thus, the statement regarding increased airway resistance in restrictive lung diseases is indeed false, highlighting a fundamental difference between obstructive and restrictive pathology in lung function.