6) Principles Of PFT & ABG Testing Flashcards
Hypercarbia
Respiratory failure from too much CO2
Hypoxemia
Not enough O2 in the blood
Hypoxia
Not enough O2 at the tissue level
What can lead to hypoxia?
Hypoxemia
Chemoreceptors
Sense O2 content of blood
Partial Pressure
O2 dissolved in blood plasma
Respiratory Acidosis
Can’t get blow off CO2 so blood becomes acidic
Respiratory Alkalosis
Blow off too much CO2 so blood becomes basic
What is the physiologic mechanism of breathing?
1) Chemoreceptors in the carotid & aorta respond to changes in blood chem
2) Signals are sent to the medulla as PaO2 & PaCO2 change
3) Medulla sends signals to respiratory muscles to contract
4) Diaphragm contracts & thorax expands
5) Transpulmonary pressure changes
6) Air moves from AW into alveoli
Normal Vital Capacity
4.8L
Normal Inspiratory Capacity
~3.5L
Normal Functional Residual Capacity
~2.4L
Flow
Primary measure of AW volume/obstruction over time
PFT Flow Measures
Peak expiratory flow rate; % of FVC exhaled in 1 sec
What % of FEV1 & FEF should PFT be?
- FEV1=75-80%
* FEF=25-75%
Peak Flow Measurement
Measures max air flow during forced expiration
Who are peak flow measurements done on & why?
Pt’s w/asthma to monitor AW tone to detect the onset of an attack so drugs can be properly adjusted
Body Plethysmography
Approximates body’s blood gases if pt can’t exhale
Pattern for obstructive disorders
Decr flow & incr volume
Pattern for restrictive disorders
Incr flow & decr vol
Diffusion Capacity
Amount of air that diffuses through the lungs in 1 breath
What is the range for diffusion capacity?
25-30mL CO/min/mmHg