PFT and Spirometry Flashcards

What is the approximate normal tidal volume ($V_T$) for an adult male?

$500\,m\text{L}$.

What is the approximate normal tidal volume ($V_T$) for an adult female?

$400\text{--}500\,m\text{L}$.

Which lung volume represents the extra amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration?

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV).

What is the average inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) for an adult male?

$3100\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) for an adult female?

$1900\,m\text{L}$.

Which lung volume represents the extra amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal expiration?

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV).

What is the average expiratory reserve volume (ERV) for an adult male?

$1200\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average expiratory reserve volume (ERV) for an adult female?

$800\,m\text{L}$.

Which lung volume represents the air remaining in the lungs after a person has exhaled as much as physically possible?

Residual volume (RV).

What is the average residual volume (RV) for an adult male?

$1200\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average residual volume (RV) for an adult female?

$1000\,m\text{L}$.

Can a patient voluntarily exhale the residual volume (RV) from the lungs?

No.

Which lung volume cannot be measured using simple spirometry?

Residual volume (RV).

What memory association can be used for inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)?

IRV = extra IN.

What memory association can be used for expiratory reserve volume (ERV)?

ERV = extra OUT.

What memory association can be used for residual volume (RV)?

RV = REMAINS.

What is a lung capacity composed of?

Two or more lung volumes.

Which lung capacity represents the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inspiration?

Vital capacity (VC).

What lung volumes are added together to calculate vital capacity (VC)?

IRV + $V_T$ + ERV.

What is the formula for vital capacity (VC)?

$\text{VC} = \text{IRV} + V_T + \text{ERV}$.

What is the average vital capacity (VC) for an adult male?

$4800\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average vital capacity (VC) for an adult female?

$3200\,m\text{L}$.

Can vital capacity (VC) be measured using ordinary spirometry?

Yes.

Which lung capacity describes how much air can be inhaled starting at the end of a normal expiration?

Inspiratory capacity (IC).

What lung volumes are added together to calculate inspiratory capacity (IC)?

$V_T$ + IRV.

What is the formula for inspiratory capacity (IC)?

$\text{IC} = V_T + \text{IRV}$.

What is the average inspiratory capacity (IC) for an adult male?

$3600\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average inspiratory capacity (IC) for an adult female?

$2400\,m\text{L}$.

Can inspiratory capacity (IC) be measured using ordinary spirometry?

Yes.

Which lung capacity represents the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a normal passive expiration?

Functional residual capacity (FRC).

What lung volumes are added together to calculate functional residual capacity (FRC)?

ERV + RV.

What is the formula for functional residual capacity (FRC)?

$\text{FRC} = \text{ERV} + \text{RV}$.

What is the average functional residual capacity (FRC) for an adult male?

$2400\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average functional residual capacity (FRC) for an adult female?

$1800\,m\text{L}$.

Can functional residual capacity (FRC) be directly measured using simple spirometry?

No.

Why can functional residual capacity (FRC) not be measured using simple spirometry?

FRC contains residual volume (RV).

Which lung capacity represents everything the lungs contain after maximum inspiration?

Total lung capacity (TLC).

What lung volumes are added together to calculate total lung capacity (TLC)?

$V_T$ + IRV + ERV + RV.

What is the formula for total lung capacity (TLC)?

$\text{TLC} = V_T + \text{IRV} + \text{ERV} + \text{RV}$.

What is the average total lung capacity (TLC) for an adult male?

$6000\,m\text{L}$.

What is the average total lung capacity (TLC) for an adult female?

$4200\,m\text{L}$.

Can total lung capacity (TLC) be directly measured using simple spirometry?

No.

Why can total lung capacity (TLC) not be measured using simple spirometry?

TLC contains residual volume (RV).

What major rule determines whether a lung volume or capacity can be directly measured using ordinary spirometry?

Anything containing RV cannot be directly measured.

Which three measurements specifically listed in the notes cannot be measured using simple spirometry?

RV, FRC, and TLC.

Which two lung capacities specifically listed in the notes can be measured using ordinary spirometry?

VC and IC.

Which pulmonary conditions or processes are shown as potentially overlapping in the COPD Venn diagram?

Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and airflow obstruction.

Does every patient with COPD fit perfectly into one isolated disease category?

No.

What combination of COPD-related features does the PowerPoint give as an example of overlapping processes in one patient?

Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and airflow obstruction.

According to the COPD components slide, what can different mixtures of pathological processes ultimately produce?

Airflow limitation.

What major concept about COPD is demonstrated by the overlap of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and airflow obstruction?

COPD is not simply one isolated disease process.

What two areas must be prepared before performing pulmonary function testing?

The laboratory and the patient.

What medication-related factor should be considered when preparing a patient for pulmonary function testing?

Medication use.

What smoking-related factor can affect pulmonary function test results?

Recent smoking.

What nutritional factor can affect pulmonary function test results?

Recent food intake.

What patient positioning factor can affect pulmonary function test results?

Body position.

What clothing-related factor can affect pulmonary function test results?

Restrictive clothing.

What patient-specific factors can affect pulmonary function test results?

Patient characteristics.

What meal-related issue should be considered during patient preparation for pulmonary function testing?

Meals or beverages.

What environmental consideration should be addressed before pulmonary function testing?

Location of the test.

What physical setup consideration should be addressed before pulmonary function testing?

Position of the patient.

What clothing consideration should be addressed before pulmonary function testing?

Patient attire.

What population-related consideration should be addressed when preparing for pulmonary function testing?

Special patient populations.

Why are appropriate pre-test conditions important before pulmonary function testing?

Incorrect conditions can produce technically accurate numbers that do not accurately represent the patient's baseline lung function.

What does Level 1 represent in the ERS recommendations for pulmonary function testing during a pandemic?

High community prevalence.

What does Level 2 represent in the ERS recommendations for pulmonary function testing during a pandemic?

Low community prevalence.

What does Level 3 represent in the ERS recommendations for pulmonary function testing during a pandemic?

Controlled.

Why can pulmonary function testing create infection-control concerns during a pandemic?

Patients repeatedly perform forceful respiratory maneuvers.

What is the major focus of the ERS pandemic recommendation levels in this PowerPoint?

Infection-control precautions and risk level.

What breathing characteristic should be evaluated during the physical assessment before pulmonary function testing?

Breathing pattern.

What auscultatory finding should be evaluated before pulmonary function testing?

Breath sounds.

What symptom category should be evaluated before pulmonary function testing?

Respiratory symptoms.

What history should be reviewed before pulmonary function testing?

Pulmonary history.

What sex-related patient characteristic should be recorded before pulmonary function testing?

Gender.

What chronological patient characteristic should be recorded before pulmonary function testing?

Age.

What demographic patient characteristic listed on the slide should be recorded before pulmonary function testing?

Race.

What body measurement that is especially important for predicted lung values should be recorded before pulmonary function testing?

Height.

What additional body measurement should be recorded before pulmonary function testing?

Weight.

Why are patient characteristics recorded before pulmonary function testing?

They are used to determine predicted normal values.

Why is height especially important when determining expected pulmonary function values?

Taller people generally have larger lungs and larger expected lung volumes.

How should a patient's PFT measurements be interpreted rather than simply labeling an isolated number as abnormal?

The results should be compared with what is expected for that patient.

What laboratory guidance should be followed when performing pulmonary function testing?

Policies and procedures (P&P).

What organizational principle should be used when performing multiple pulmonary function tests?

An appropriate testing sequence.

What type of protocols are emphasized for pulmonary function testing?

Therapist-driven protocols.

Why does the sequence of pulmonary function tests matter?

One test can potentially affect another.

Why should pulmonary function maneuvers not be performed in a random order?

A standardized protocol helps keep testing consistent and reproducible.

What should the respiratory therapist understand before performing a pulmonary function test?

The test.

What type of results should the respiratory therapist report?

ATS acceptable results.

What should the respiratory therapist do when a pulmonary function test is inappropriate?

Provide notification of the inappropriate test.

What general team role should the respiratory therapist maintain during pulmonary function testing?

Be a vital team member.

How can spirometry be used when determining whether a patient has lung disease?

It can confirm lung disease.

How can spirometry be used after lung disease has been identified?

It can classify the disease.

How can spirometry be used to determine how extensive a pulmonary abnormality is?

It can quantify severity or extent.

How can spirometry be used after respiratory treatment has been given?

It can evaluate therapeutic response.

How can spirometry be used before a surgical procedure?

It can assess surgical risk.

How can spirometry be used when determining functional impairment?

It can evaluate disability.

How can spirometry be used in occupational respiratory disease?

It can evaluate occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis.

What scientific use of spirometry is listed as an indication for airway function testing?

Research.

Besides diagnosis, what broader purposes of PFT are emphasized in the instructor notes?

Monitoring, prognosis, occupational health, preoperative evaluation, and treatment response.

What are the three major classifications of lung disorders presented in the PowerPoint?

Obstructive, restrictive, and combination/mixed.