Practical Spirometry Flashcards
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
Maximum volume above the tidal volume that we can inhale into the lungs
What is tidal volume?
Amount of air exhaled or inhaled in each breath under resting conditions
What is exploratory reserve volume?
Maximum volume we can exhale from lungs in a normal breath
What is residual volume?
Volume of air remaining in the lungs after forced exhalation
Can residual volume be measured in spirometry?
No. - it is the volume left after emptying the lungs so it cannot be used - volume remaining after full expiration
What is forced vital capacity FVC?
The volume of the lungs from full inspiration to forced maximal expiration
What is FEV1?
The volume of air expelled in the first second of forced expiration
What is inspiratory capacity?
Maximum amount of air inspired after normal expiration
IC= TV + IRV
What is total lung capacity?
All the air that is possible for the lungs to contain
What is functional residual capacity? FRC
Volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of normal expiration
FRC=ERV + RV
What is expiratory capacity?
Volume of air that we can expire after a normal inspiration
What is the FEV1/FVC RATIO?
The percentage of lung size (FVC) that can be exhaled in one second
FEV1 / FVC X 100
What is vital capacity?
Maximal amount of air exhaled steadily from full inspiration to maximal expiration
(Should be >80% of predicted)
VC = TV + IRV + ERV
Give examples of diseases of the lungs
Asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Why do we use spirometry?
- identify any abnormalities in lung function / lung disease
- check severity of existing lung disease
- determine if medications are helping
