Pulmonary Function & Spirometry – EKG 117 (Week 5, Chapter 51)

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key respiratory terms, test measures, lung volumes, breath sounds, and common pulmonary conditions presented in the lecture.

Pulmonology

Study and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system (trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli).

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Series of tests that evaluate lung volume and capacity, help diagnose obstructive or restrictive disorders, and assess therapy effectiveness.

Spirometry

Non-invasive PFT that measures lung elasticity, ventilatory ability, and respiratory-muscle strength using a mouthpiece connected to a recording device.

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

Maximum volume of air exhaled as forcefully and quickly as possible after one full inhalation.

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec (FEV₁)

Volume of air exhaled during the first second of a forced exhalation; expressed as % of VC and reduced in obstructive disease.

Tidal Volume (TV)

Amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal quiet breathing (≈ 500 mL).

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

Additional air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

Additional air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal expiration.

Residual Volume (RV)

Air remaining in the lungs after maximal exhalation (≈ 1,200 mL); keeps alveoli inflated.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

Total volume of air in the lungs at peak inspiration (TV + IRV + ERV + RV).

Vital Capacity (VC)

Maximum volume ventilated in a single breath; VC = IRV + TV + ERV; reduced in restrictive disorders.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

Volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal expiration.

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)

Fastest rate at which air is exhaled after a maximum breath; measured in L/min or L/sec.

Peak Flow Meter

Hand-held device that measures PEFR to monitor airflow changes and asthma treatment effectiveness.

Pulse Oximeter

Device that estimates arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and pulse via a fingertip sensor.

SpO₂

Saturation of peripheral oxygen; normal 95–100 %; <70 % indicates life-threatening hypoxia.

Dyspnea

Medical term for difficulty or labored breathing.

Stridor

High-pitched, shrill inspiratory sound indicating upper-airway obstruction.

Stertor

Snoring-like, noisy inspiratory sound caused by upper-airway obstruction.

Crackles (Rales)

Fine or coarse crackling sounds like crushing tissue paper, produced by fluid in airways.

Rhonchi

Rattling, whistling, low-pitched throat sounds heard in pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, COPD, etc.

Wheezes

High-pitched musical sounds made when airways are obstructed or severely narrowed, common in asthma.

Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

Cyclic pattern of slow, shallow breaths that become faster and deeper, pause, then repeat; seen in some brain injuries.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive lung disorder (includes emphysema & chronic bronchitis) that lowers FEV₁/VC ratio below 70 %.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory airway disease with reversible obstruction, wheezing, and decreased PEFR.

Chronic Bronchitis

Long-term inflammation of bronchi with cough and mucus production; an obstructive condition.

Emphysema

Destruction of alveolar walls causing loss of elastic recoil and airflow obstruction.

Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic disease producing thick mucus that obstructs airways and leads to recurrent lung infections.

Restrictive Lung Disease

Group of disorders limiting lung expansion, lowering VC while often preserving FEV₁ %.

Obstructive Lung Disease

Conditions (e.g., COPD, asthma) that impede airflow, reducing FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC ratio.

Pulmonary Embolism

Blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot, impairing gas exchange.

Pneumothorax

Collapsed lung caused by air in the pleural space.

Hemothorax

Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, compressing the lung.