Pulmonary Tests

Question 1

What are the 2 types of respiratory diseases?

Answer 1

restrictive + obstructive

Question 2

What is a restrictive disorder?

Answer 2

extra-airway diseases + disorders that restrict the ability to fill the lungs

Question 3

What is a obstructive disorder?

Answer 3

airway diseases + disorders associated w/ obstructed airflow

Question 4

What is a peak flow meter?

Answer 4

m

Question 5

How is a volume time curve produced?

Answer 5

• wear noseclip
• inhale steadily around TLC
• use mouthpiece + exhale as hard + fast as possible
• exhalation continues until RV is reached
• visually inspect volume + pressure time

Question 6

What are the
• FEV1 
• FVC 
• FEV1 : FVC ratio
values like on a normal volume-time curve?

Answer 6

• FEV1 = high e.g. 4.3
• FVC = high e.g. 5.1
• FEV1 : FVC ratio = 84 %

Question 7

What are the
• FEV1 
• FVC 
• FEV1 : FVC ratio
values like on a obstructive volume-time curve?

Answer 7

• FEV1 = more shallow due to increased airway resistance e.g. 1.0
• FVC = lower plateau e.g. 1.9
• FEV1 : FVC ratio = 53%

Question 8

What are the
• FEV1 
• FVC 
• FEV1 : FVC ratio
values like on a restrictive volume-time curve?

Answer 8

• FEV1 = e.g. 3.3
• FVC = very similar to FEV1 e.g. 3.3
• FEV1 : FVC ratio = 100%

Question 9

What is a flow-volume loop?

Answer 9

advanced diagnostic test, can be useful + discriminatory between potential diagnoses

Question 10

What is a volume-time curve?

Answer 10

c

Question 11

What is the expiratory portion of flow-volume loop?

Answer 11

the top half of graph

Question 12

What is a inspiratory portion of flow-volume loop?

Answer 12

the bottom half of graph

Question 13

How is a flow-volume loop produced?

Answer 13

c

Question 14

What does a mild obstructive disease flow-volume loop look like?

Answer 14

• narrower curve
• slightly reduced FVC
• indented exhalation curve at E called ‘coving’

Question 15

What does a severe obstructive disease flow-volume loop look like?

Answer 15

• reduced FVC
• indented exhalation curve
• reduced PEFR

Question 16

What does a restrictive disease flow-volume loop look like?

Answer 16

• slightly reduced FVC

* narrower curve

Question 17

What is “coving”?

Answer 17

c

Question 18

What does a flow-volume loop for a variable extra-thoracic obstruction look like?

Answer 18

• blunted inspiratory curve, slightly diminished

* otherwise normal

Question 19

What does a flow-volume loop for a variable intra-thoracic obstruction look like?

Answer 19

• blunted expiratory curve, very diminished

* otherwise normal

Question 20

What does a flow-volume loop for a fixed airway obstruction look like?

Answer 20

• blunted inspiratory + expiratory curve

* otherwise normal

Question 21

What 2 values can be found from a volume time curve?

Answer 21

• FVC = forced vital capacity

* FEV1 = amount of air forced form lungs in 1 sec

Question 22

What are steps A to F on a flow-volume curve?

Answer 22

A+B = one tidal breath (inspiration + expiration)
C = inspiration to TLC (total lung capacity)
D = forceful expiration
E = expiration til RV (residual volume) is reached 
F = immediate inspiration

Question 23

What is the flow envelope on a flow-volume loop?

Answer 23

D + E = forceful expiration as hard + fast as possible