Lung Volumes & Pulmonary Measurements

Question 1

Tidal volume

Answer 1

amount of air inhaled and exhaled with a NORMAL breath

~500mL

Question 2

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) & inspiratory capacity (IC)

Answer 2

IRV = additional amount of volume of air that can be inhaled

IC = MAX amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal exhalation (IRV + TV)

Question 3

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

Answer 3

additional volume of air that can be exhaled, more than a normal breath

Question 4

Residual volume (RV)

Answer 4

amount of air left in the lungs after MAX exhalation

Question 5

Functional residual capacity (FRC)

Answer 5

amount of air that is remaining in the lungs after normal tidal volume exhalation
**point at which the forces tending to collapse the lung are balanced w/ forces tending to expand the chest wall

ERV + RV

Question 6

Vital Capacity (VC)

Answer 6

MAX amount of air that can be exhaled after MAX inhalation
*this is important to pay attention to for exercise limitations

IRV + TV + ERV

Question 7

Total lung capacity (TLC)

Answer 7

max volume the lungs can be expanded

includes ALL lung volumes

Question 8

Minute ventilation (VE)

Answer 8

amount of air brought in per minute

Tidal volume (TV) x RR

Question 9

FEV

- normative values

Answer 9

forced expiratory volume = total amount of air that is able to be expired (how well can they get the air out)

Normal = 4.0
Obstructed = 1.3
Restrictive = 2.8

Question 10

FVC

- normative values

Answer 10

forced vital capacity = max amount of air that can be expired after max inhalation (amount of air that is available to be blown out, so looking more at ability to bring air in)

Normal = 5.0
Obstructed = 3.1
Restricted = 3.1

Question 11

FEV/FVC

- normative values

Answer 11

ratio of how much of your total volume of air that you are inhaling can you actually push out

Normal = 80%
Obstructed = 42% - more capacity, but can't blow as much out
Restricted = 90% - troubles bringing air in & out