Evaluation of Respiratory Function Study Guide (1)

What is the purpose of the lungs?

Breathe in oxygen and absorb oxygen in blood via gas transfer

What is alveolar ventilation?

Breathe in oxygen

What is pulmonary perfusion?

absorb oxygen in blood

What does ventilation-perfusion matching mean?

When alveolar ventilation and pulmonary perfusion are matching.

What is the respiratory rate at birth?

44 breaths per minute

What is the respiratory rate at age 2?

26 breaths per minute

What is the respiratory rate for adults 18+?

12-20 breaths per minute

What is the respiratory rate for seniors?

up to 28 breaths per minute

What is the respiratory rate for adults 18+ during exercise?

40-60 breaths per minute

When are PFTs conducted?

In known or suspected lung diseases, when lung symptoms are experienced chronically

In case of continual workplace hazard exposure

To evaluate how well breathing treatments are managing disease and to check eligibility for disability and/or surgery

What to PFTs determine?

If observed lung function constitutes obstructive or restrictive lung processes.

Obstructive lung disease are…

conditions where air cannot be EXHALED as easily

What are examples of obstructive lung diseases?

Asthma

COPD

Cystic Fibrosis

Obstructive sleep apnea

When is an obstructive lung disease defined?

FEV1/FVC = <70% of expected post-bronchodilator

Restrictive lung diseases are….

conditions where air cannot be INHALED as easily

What is an example of restrictive lung disease?

Pulmonary Fibrosis

When are restrictive lung diseases defined?

When TLC = <80% of expected

What information do PFTs match on to determine if the function is within the expected limits?

Age

Height

Sex (Gender)

Race

What is tidal volume? (Vt)

Lung volume inhaled and exhaled during normal breathing

What is vital capacity? (VC)

Total volume of air that can be exhaled

What is forced vital capacity? (FVC)

Total volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled

What is forced expiratory volume in 1 second? (FEV1)

Total volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled in 1 second

What is total lung capacity? (TLC)

Total volume of air the lungs can hold (VC + RV)

What is residual volume? (RV)

Total volume of air left in the lungs after a full exhalation (TLC - VC)

What amount of adults patients without an obstructive lung disease exhale in 1 second?

80% or more

Spirometry can measure what?

FEV1

FVC

Forced expiratory flow (FEF)

What can spirometry not measure?

RV or TLC

What can measure TLC via RV?

Body plethysmography

What does low DLCO mean?

Low transfer of gas from the lungs into the blood

COPD is associated with

a low DLCO due to alveolar destruction

Asthma is associated with

a high DLCO due to more air in the lungs (trapped via obstruction)

What cardiac component is COPD associated with?

Defective capillary changes

What cardiac component is asthma associated with?

More capillary flow due to increased cardiac output

When is the reversal of an obstruction considered successful using a beta agonist? (albuterol)

When 2 conditions are met

1) an increase in FEV1 of > 12%

2) an increase of FEV1 by 200 mL or more

Peak flow meters are backed by expert opinion in asthma because

their data is limited and inconsistent

What is the measurement of the Green Zone on a peak flow meter?

80-100%

What is the measurement of the Yellow Zone for a peak flow meter?

50-80%

What is the measurement of the Red Zone in a peak flow meter?

<50%

What does pulse oximetry measure?

Oxygen saturation in blood

What factors can affect a pulse oximetry reading?

Poor circulation

Thick nail

Nail polish

Dark skin

What is an alternate option for pulse oximetry besides the finger?

A probe placed on ear lobe, nose, toe, or forehead

(None are as good as the finger)

What can’t pulse oximetry differentiate between?

Oxygen & Carbon Monoxide

When was the first FDA approved pulse ox approved for OTC use?

2024

What is the name of the guidelines for asthma?

GINA

What is the name of the guidelines for COPD?

GOLD