Spirometry

Question 1

Describe pulmonary function tests in obstructive lung disease

Answer 1

FEV1: significantly reduced
FVC: reduced/ normal
FEV1/FVC: reduced

Question 2

Describe pulmonary function tests in restrictive lung disease

Answer 2

FEV1: reduced
FVC: significantly reduced
FEV1/FVC: normal

Question 3

List 4 causes of an obstructive lung disease picture

Answer 3

Asthma
COPD
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiolitis obliterans

Question 4

List 7 causes of a restrictive lung disease picture

Answer 4

Pulmonary fibrosis
Asbestosis
Sarcoidosis
ARDS
Kyphoscoliosis e.g. Ank spon
Neuromuscular disorders
Obesity

Question 5

What does the transfer factor describe?

Answer 5

Rate gas will diffuse from alveoli into blood

Question 6

What is used to test the rate of diffusion to measure the transfer factor?

Answer 6

Carbon monoxide

Question 7

How can transfer factor results be presented?

Answer 7

Total gas transfer (TLCO)
Corrected for lung volume= Transfer coefficient (KCO)

Question 8

List 7 causes of a raised TLCO

Answer 8

Asthma
Pulmonary haemorrhage
Left to Right cardiac shunts
Polycythaemia
Hyperkinetic states
Male
Exercise

Question 9

Give 2 causes of pulmonary haemorrhage and thus raised TLCO

Answer 9

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Goodpasture’s

Question 10

List 7 causes of a low TLCO

Answer 10

Pulmonary fibrosis
Pneumonia
PE
Pulmonary oedema
Emphysema
Anaemia
Low cardiac output

Question 11

How does KCO tend to change with age?

Answer 11

KCO tends to increase with age

Question 12

List 4 conditions that may cause an increased KCO with normal or reduced TLCO

Answer 12

Pneumonectomy/ Lobectomy
Scoliosis/ Kyphosis
Neuromuscular weakness
Ankylosis of costovertebral joints e.g. Ank spon