L3 - Spirometry Flashcards
What is spirometry and how is it used in assessing pulmonary function?
A:
Spirometry is a clinical test that measures the volume of air a patient can exhale from the lungs at specific time points during a complete exhalation, following a maximal inhalation.
It helps in assessing blowing patterns and is used to aid in the identification and severity of respiratory diseases.
Limitations: It cannot be used alone to distinguish between diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What are the key limitations of spirometry in diagnosing respiratory diseases?
Spirometry cannot differentiate between diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It assesses blowing patterns but may not provide enough specific information to diagnose certain conditions without additional tests or clinical context.
What is lung capacity and how is it affected by respiratory diseases?
Lung capacity refers to the amount of air that can be inhaled.
It is typically reduced in restrictive airway diseases, where lung expansion is limited due to factors like lung fibrosis or chest wall stiffness.
What does air flow measure and how is it affected by respiratory diseases?
Air flow refers to the speed at which air can be moved in and out of the lungs.
It is usually reduced in obstructive airway diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where airflow is impeded by narrowed or blocked airways.
What is a peak flow meter and what are its uses in lung function measurement?
A peak flow meter measures the exhaled volume of air.
It requires charts to help detect obstructive diseases.
It is often used to monitor lung function in conditions like asthma.
What is a spirometer and how does it compare to a peak flow meter?
A spirometer measures both flow and capacity of the lungs simultaneously.
It is considered the gold standard for detecting both obstructive and restrictive diseases.
However, spirometers are more expensive than peak flow meters.
What is TV (Tidal Volume) in spirometry?
TV is the amount of air moving in and out of the lungs with each breath during normal breathing.
What is IRV (Inspiratory Reserve Volume) in spirometry?
IRV is the amount of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal inhalation.
What does IC (Inspiratory Capacity) represent in spirometry?
IC is the maximum volume of air that can be inspired after normal exhalation.
What is ERV (Expiratory Reserve Volume) in spirometry?
ERV is the amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal exhalation.
What does FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) measure in spirometry?
FEV1 is the total volume of air that can be displaced by the lungs in 1 second during a forced exhalation.
What is FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) in spirometry?
FVC is the total volume of air that can be displaced from the lungs by exhalation after a full inhalation.
What is RV (Residual Volume) in spirometry?
RV is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a full exhalation.
What is FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second), and what factors affect it?
A:
FEV1 is the volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation.
It is affected by airway diameter and is a predictor of healthy values based on age, gender, and height.
What is FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), and what factors influence it?
FVC is the total volume of air that can be exhaled after a full inhalation.
It is a predictor of healthy values based on age, gender, and height.
