Pulmonary Function Tests

Question 1

Is maximal effort flow greater at a greater lung volume or lower lung volume?

Answer 1

• greater lung volume

- airways are distended, resistance to flow is less

Question 2

What is responsible for the plateau on the IVPF curves?

Answer 2

Dynamic compression

Question 3

Is peak flow effort dependent or effort independent? (can it vary based on the patient’s effort)

Answer 3

Peak flow is effort dependent

- If a patient doesn’t blow as much air as they can, their peak flow won’t measure as high as it truly is

Question 4

Is Mid-expiratory flow effort dependent or effort independent?

Answer 4

Independent of effort

Question 5

In a volume vs Pressure plot, what is the slope?

Answer 5

Compliance

Question 6

In a pressure vs flow plot what is the slope?

Answer 6

resistance

Question 7

What are you trying to measure in a flow vs volume plot?

Answer 7

maximal effort flow volume

Question 8

In a flow volume loop, what is the distance across the x-axis of the loop called?

Answer 8

Vital capacity

Question 9

In a MEFV loop, what would be indicated if the exipiratory curve is concave downwards?

Answer 9

obstructive disease

• due to elevated compliance at low mid-expiratory flows
• trouble exhaling
• emphysema, bronchitis

Question 10

A normal person should expire what percent of their vital capacity in one second? What is the shorthand for this measurement?

Answer 10

80%

FEV1

Question 11

In a MEFV loop, what would a decreased vital capacity indicate?

Answer 11

A restrictive disease

• trouble inhaling
• fibrosis

Question 12

A pediatric patient would have a decreased what in compared to adult patient?

Answer 12

A smaller vital capacity

Question 13

In a patient with respiratory muscle disease, how would MEFV be changed?

Answer 13

• vital capacity is normal

- peak flow is depressed

Question 14

What is occurring to each of these values in an obstructive disease such as asthma?

1. FEV1
2. FVC
3. FEV1/FVC
4. FRC

Answer 14

1. FEV1 - decreases (alot)
2. FVC - decreases
3. FEV1/FVC - decreases
4. FRC - increases (can’t expire all the air)

Question 15

What is occurring to each of these values in an restrictive disease such as fibrosis?

1. FEV1
2. FVC
3. FEV1/FVC
4. FRC

Answer 15

1. FEV1 - decreases
2. FVC - decreases (alot)
3. FEV1/FVC - increases or is normal
   (FVC decreases more substantially than FEV1)
4. FRC - decreases