7.3 Measuring The Process

Question 1

What are the two ways in which Kung function is usually measured?

Answer 1

Peak flow meter

Spirometer

Question 2

What is a peak flow meter used for and how does it work?

Answer 2

• it can be used to monitor conditions such as asthma

- it measures the rate at which patients expel air into a handheld tube

Question 3

What is a spirometer used for and how does it work?

Answer 3

• can measure several aspects of lung volume
• patients breath in and out of a mouthpiece attached to a sealed chamber; oxygen from the chamber is used up
• a trace is generated

Question 4

What is total lung capacity?

Answer 4

Total lung capacity = Vital capacity + residual volume

Question 5

What is vital capacity?

Answer 5

The maximum volume that can be breathed out following the strongest possible inhalation
(Tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume + expiratory reserve volume)

Question 6

What is residual volume?

Answer 6

The volume remaining in the lungs even after a person has has exhaled with maximum force

Question 7

What is tidal volume?

Answer 7

The volume inhaled with each resting breath

(Or the volume exhaled with each resting breath

Question 8

What are inspiratory and expiratory reserve volumes?

Answer 8

The additional volumes of air that can be breathed in and out during forced inhalation and exhalation

Question 9

What is breathing rate?

Answer 9

The number of breaths taken per minute

Question 10

What is the tidal volume?

Answer 10

Ventilation rate/Breathing rate