Pulm Function Testing & Lung Volumes

Question 1

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

Answer 1

• Maximum amount of air that an be inside the lungs at one time

Question 2

Residual Volume (RV)

Answer 2

• Amount of air that must remain in lungs no matter what (this number cannot be touched)
• 1.1L
• This can increase over time with air trapping (COPD)

Question 3

Vital Capacity (VC)

Answer 3

• Maximum amount of air that can actually move in and out of the lungs
• 3.5-4.5L

Question 4

Tidal Volume (TV)

Answer 4

• Normal breathing

Question 5

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

Answer 5

• Amount of air that can be exhaled after normal exhalation

Question 6

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

Answer 6

• Equaled to ERV + RV

Question 7

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Answer 7

• Amount of air that can be breathed in after normal inhalation

Question 8

Pulmonary Function Tests

Answer 8

• Allows us to determine if the condition is obstructive or restrictive and how severe it is

Question 9

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

Answer 9

• Maximum amount of air that you can actually move in and out of lungs
• 3.5-4.5L
• Step one = exhale deeply
• Step two = take a maximum inhalation
• Step three = maximally exhale as quickly as possible
• Tell us if there is a lung problem and how severe it is

Question 10

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)

Answer 10

• Maximum volume of air that can be exhaled in one second
• Determines restrictive vs obstructive lung condition
• Tells us severity of lung obstruction

Question 11

Forced Expiratory Volume

Answer 11

• FEV1/FVC < 0.70 (70%) = obstructive condition
• FEV1/FVC > 0.80 (80%) = restrictive condition
• FEV1% of greater than 80% indicates restrictive disease as long as FEV1/FVC is > 0.70 (70%)

Question 12

COPD Gold Stages

Answer 12

• FEV1/FVC < 0.70 is a requirement to use this
• Must be an obstructive condition
• Respiratory failure = O2 less than 60 and CO2 more than 50
• Stage I — mild COPD, FEV1/FVC < 0.70, FEV1 >/= 80%
• Stage II — moderate COPD, FEV1/FVC < 0.70, FEV1 >/= 50-79% normal
• Stage III — severe COPD, FEV1/FVC < 0.70, FEV1 30-49% normal
• Stage IV — very severe COPD, FEV1/FVC < 0.70, FEV1 < 30% normal (or <50% normal with chronic respiratory failure)

Question 13

Obstructive Disease Values

Answer 13

• FEV1 = decreased
• TLC, RV, TV, FRC = normal or increased

Question 14

Restrictive Disease Values

Answer 14

• FEV1 = normal
• TLC = decreased
• RV, TV, FRC = normal or decreased