Which of the following conditions should result in patient instructions to decrease inspiratory time and increase expiratory time?

A. sarcoidosis
B. COPD exacerbation
C. asbestosis
D. CHF

Answer: B. A patient with COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suffers with the inability to exhale gas from the lung. This results in air-trapping during a COPD exacerbation. Pursed-lips breathing, along with an extension of expiratory time is helpful. One may also decrease I-time or increase E-time to resolve air-trapping created by COPD.