2680 PFT Review Flashcards
Pack years eqn
# packs/day x # years (Usually 20 cig/pack)
PFT process/ order of steps
1) spiro pre-bronchodilator
2) administer bronchodilator
3) DLCO
4) spiro post-bronchodilator
Most common symptom/complication during spirometry
Fainting
absolute contraindications for PF testing (pre-read pckg)
MI within 1 month
3 primary factors req’d for determining the predicted value (re: reference elms/normals)
Age, height, sex
Age when peak lung function reached
20-25 y.o.
How do lung mechanics and volumes change with age?
Lungs become more compliant while chest wall more rigid…
- RV & FRC increases w age (harder to fully exhale)
- VC decreases
- TLC remains same
- PEF decreases
- DLCO decreases
describe FVC test via spirometry and how to coach
Effort dependent test to measure volume forcefully exhaled from max inspiration
Steps: calibrate + enter pt data, nose clip on, mouth sealed on mouthpiece, good positioning; relaxed normal breaths, then on cue pt quickly breathes in until full then forcefully out until completely empty, then another breath in until full
coaching: “Purpose: how much volume you can exhale and how quickly you can do it (FVC, FEV1, PEF) = speed and volume
Big breath in and fast breath out as fast as you can; keep pushing even if you think you are empty; when i see that you’re empty, as big a breath as you can “
What type of patient may a SVC (slow vital capacity) be suitable for? What steps are generally preferred to do the test and why?
COPD Pt/emphysema bc forced vital capacity could collapse the airways during forced exhalation. SVC will give same volume but not the peak flows.
Steps:
Prefer to do a max expiration then max inspiration (VC) bc they will have a stronger drive to breathe when starting empty
critical value for a VC
<15ml/kg is resp concern; means their Vt will be way too small and won’t keep alveoli recruited
define the EPP
equal pressure point - Where pressure outside airway = pressure inside airway = critical point called equal pressure point (EPP)
-Further downstream from EPP, pressure outside airway can then exceed pressure inside airway
-lead to airway collapse (if lung tissue integrity is disrupted due to emphysema, obstructive lung disease)
-EPP is reached in everyone at some point, but it happens much easier/earlier with ‘floppy’ or weak airways
E.g. emphysema or COPD
normal proportion of lung volume exhaled in FEV1
75 - 85% = most people exhale this amount of lung volume in the 1st second of FORCED exhalation; represents large + medium airways +/- small airways
how to use FEV1/FVC to determine if obstruction is present
obstruction likely present if FEV1/FVC is <70%
what forced flowrate is independent of Pt effort?
FEF 25 - 75%; reflects smaller airways and is independent of Pt effort
Describe the ATS criteria for BEV (back extrapolated volume)
BEV should be =100ml or =5% of FVC whichever is greater; if Pt delays the start of the maneuver, they can “cheat” by leaking out some volume before the maneuver starts. We want to minimize this.
3 ways to meet the EFE (end of forced effort) ATS criteria
1) after 15 seconds of exhaling the test ends
2) Pt plateaus (< 25mL change in volume for) 1 second during exhalation
3) If Pt cannot achieve a plateau, FVC is within repeatability criteria or a larger than any previous FVC (VC needs to be within 150mL of a previous FVC, or a larger than a previous FVC = repeatability criteria)
describe ATS repeatability criteria for > 6 yrs old
If >6 years old,
-minimum 3 successful attempts with the top 2 FEV1 and FVC being within <150ml difference
FIVC ATS criteria
if FIVC > FVC, must be within 5% of FVC or within <100mL (whichever greater)
max # attempts to try according to ATS spirometry criteria
8
List the ATS criteria final reported values
Of the 3 successful tests, report Largest FVC Largest FEV1 Largest FEV1/FVC% -----> doesnt have to be from the same attempt! Largest PEF Largest FIVC
All other values come from best single test (e.g. FEF50%, FEF25-75%)
Best test = largest combined FEV1 + FVC
how to identify variable vs. fixed obstruction
variable FEF will not = FIF;
-intrathoracic: FEF < FIF
-extrathoracic: FEF > FIF
fixed FEF/FIF = 1 (they are the same)
List the bronchodilator given for spirometry and onset action
Ventolin (SABA) Salbutamol; onset action 5 - 15 mintues (so given in MDI after the pre-bronchodilator spiro, then do DLCO test ~10 minutes, then ready to do post-bronchodilator test)
describe repeatability criteria for < 6 yrs old
minimum 3 successful FEV1 and FVC, difference between top 2 FEV1 must be = 100mL or within 10% of largest FEV1 whichever is larger; and top 2 FVC must be = 100mL or within 10% of largest FVC whichever is larger
indications for spirometry (6 - overall)
pre-reading pckg
1) discover presence/absence of lung disease
2) assess amount of lung function impairment present in a known lung disease
3) assess effects of environmental or occupational exposure (hazardous work environments, smoking)
4) determine if therapy is beneficial to patient
5) determine surgical risk for thoracic, abdominal or lung resection procedures
6) evaluate impairments or disabilities for insurance/legal, social security/compensation, pulm rehab