DSA 3: Pulmonary Testing

Question 1

Why would pulmonary function tests be ordered?1

Answer 1

1) Evaluate signs of lung disease
2) Assess progression of disease or therapy
3) Monitor effects of drugs or chemicals

Question 2

What is a spirometry?

Answer 2

Measurement of air moving in and out of lungs, allowing one to determine how much air can be inhaled, exhaled, and how fast

Question 3

What are the most important measurements from a spirometry?

Answer 3

1) Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): After long inhalation, measurement of amount exhaled
2) Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1): amount of air exhaled in first second of FVC
3) FEV1/FVC ratio

Question 4

What is the diffusing capacity?

Answer 4

Measure of the ability of the lungs to transfer gas

Question 5

If FEV1/FVC ratio is less than normal limit, what does that mean?

Answer 5

Obstructive pattern

Question 6

If FEV1/FVC ratio is normal but FVC is less than normal limit, what does that mean?

Answer 6

Restrictive pattern

Question 7

If total lung capacity is less than normal, what can this mean?

Answer 7

Restrictive pattern

Question 8

What is pseudorestriction?

Answer 8

Increased residual volume due to air trapping and can lower FVC to below normal limit