Measuring the process 7.3

Question 1

What is a peak flow meter

Answer 1

• device that measures rate at which air is expelled from lungs

Question 2

• explain how to use vitalograph
• what does it measure

Answer 2

• patient being tested breathes out as quickly as they can through mouthpiece
• graph produced of volume of air breathed out and time taken to do so
• volume of air is called the forced expiratory volume in 1 second

Question 3

what is a spirometer

Answer 3

A spirometer is commonly used to measure different aspects of the lung volume, or to investigate breathing patterns. There are many different forms of spirometer but they all use the same principle

Question 4

what are the different aspects of lung volume that can be measured

Answer 4

Tidal volume
Vital capacity
Inspiratory reserve volume
Expiratory reserve volume
Residual volume
Total lung capacity

Question 5

what is tidal volume

Answer 5

The volume of air that moves into and out of the lungs with each resting breath. It is around 500 cm3 in most adults at rest, which uses about 15% of the vital capacity of the lungs

Question 6

what is vital capacity

Answer 6

The volume of air that can be breathed in when the strongest possible exhalation is followed by the deepest possible intake of breathe

Question 7

what is inspiratory reserve volume

Answer 7

The maximum volume of air you can breathe in over and above a normal inhalation

Question 8

what is expiratory reserve volume

Answer 8

The extra amount of air you can force out of your lungs over and above the normal tidal volume of air you breathe out

Question 9

what is residual volume

Answer 9

The volume of air that is left in your lungs when you have exhaled as hard as possible. This cannot be measured directly

Question 10

what is total lung capacity

Answer 10

the sum of the vital capacity and the residual volume

Question 11

what is the breathing rate

Answer 11

The breathing rate is the number of breaths taken per minute.

Question 12

what is the ventilation rate

Answer 12

The ventilation rate is the total volume of air inhaled in 1 minute

Question 13

How would you calculate the ventilation rate

Answer 13

Ventilation rate = tidal volume x breathing rate (per minute)

Question 14

what influences the amount of gaseous exchange that is needed in the lungs of a human

Answer 14

The amount of gaseous exchange that needs to take place in your lungs will vary a lot depending on your size and level of activity

Question 15

How much can the tidal volume increase during oxygen demanding situations such as exercise

Answer 15

It can increase from 15% to 50% of the vital capacity

Question 16

How can ventilation of the lungs be increased

Answer 16

The breathing rate could be increased
The tidal volume could be increase (15% –> 50%)