What findings would one expect to see in the lungs of a patient with cystic fibrosis?

In cystic fibrosis, the primary issue is the dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which leads to the accumulation of thick, viscous mucus in various organs, especially in the lungs. This mucus obstruction can create an environment conducive to bacterial infections and cause inflammation, leading to lung damage over time.

The presence of patchy densities throughout the lungs is indicative of such inflammation and infection. These densities may be due to areas of atelectasis (collapsed lung tissue) or consolidation, which are common in patients with cystic fibrosis as a result of chronic lung infections and inflammation. Radiologically, this can manifest as areas of increased opacity on chest imaging, which corresponds to the obstructive changes caused by the thick mucus.

The other options do not appropriately reflect the typical findings associated with cystic fibrosis. For instance, the option presenting clear lung fields with no abnormalities does not align with the expected outcomes of this condition, where lung changes are prominent due to chronic mucous obstruction and infection. Similarly, significant pleural effusion and enlarged heart with fluid retention may occur in other conditions but are not characteristic features of cystic fibrosis lung pathology. Thus, patchy densities accurately represent the pulmonary changes associated with cystic