Lung Function Testing Flashcards
List 3 spirometry tests/graphs.
List 8 other lung function tests.
SPIROMETRY:
Lung volumes
Time/volume plots
Flow/volume plots
OTHER LUNG FUNCTION TESTS: Peak flow (PEF) Reversibility tests Bronchial provocation Transfer factor Residual lung volumes Pulse oximetry Alveolar oxygen equation Arterial blood gases
How would you define a spirometry test?
What would you tell the patient when doing one? (3)
Forced expiratory manoeuvre from total lung capacity, followed by a full inspiration; measured as the best of 3 acceptable attempts (within 5% of each other)
METHOD:
- Take a big breath in as far as you can
- Blow out as hard as you can for as long as possible
- Then take a deep breath in
List 4 disadvantages of spirometry.
Needs appropriately trained technician
Effort and technique dependent
Affected by patient frailty
Can’t be done if patient is too unwell
List 5 lung volumes which can be directly measured by spirometry.
Inspiratory reserve volume Inspiratory capacity Expiratory reserve volume Tidal volume (VT) Vital capacity (VC)
List 3 volumes which can be calculated from spirometry tests.
Total lung capacity
Residual volume
Functional residual capacity (FRC)
What is the difference between inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) and inspiratory capacity (IC)?
INSPIRATORY RESERVE VOLUME (IRV):
Volume between PEAK tidal volume and volume after full inspiration
INSPIRATORY CAPACITY (IC): Volume between END tidal volume and volume after full inspiration
What is the vital capacity (VC)?
Maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after maximum inhalation
What is the expiratory reserve volume?
Volume between end tidal volume and the volume after full expiration
How do you calculate the total lung capacity (TLC)?
TLC = vital capacity (VC) + residual volume (RV)
What is the functional residual capacity (FRC)?
Amount of air left in the lungs after a normal breath (i.e. at the end tidal volume)
Which 2 graphs can be plotted with spirometry results?
Time/volume plot
Flow/volume loops
Draw a time/volume plot.
See poster
Draw a flow/volume loop.
See poster
Which 4 measurements can be taken from a time/volume plot?
How?
Peak expiratory flow (PEF)
-Extrapolate a line from beginning of plot; calculate gradient
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
-Find volume at 1 second on the graph
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
-Plateau level of graph
FEV1/FVC ratio
Which measurement can be taken from a flow/volume loop?
Vital capacity
-Distance between the two x-axis intercepts