Spirometry Flashcards
DLCO
diffusing capacity of the lung, capacity of lung to transfer CO2
ERV
expiratory reserve volume, max volume of air that can be exhaled from end-expiratory tidal position
FET
forced expiratory time - amt of time pt exhales during FVC
FEV1
forced expiratory volume in 1 second
FRC
functional residual capacity, volume of air in the lungs following tidal volume exhalation
FVC
forced vital capacity, total volume can be forcefully expired from max inspiratory effort (all the way full to all the way empty except residual air in lungs)
IC
inspiratory capacity, max volume of air can be inhaled from tidal volume end-experiatory level
IRV
inspiratory reserve volume
LLN
lower limit of normal
PEF
peak expiratory flow, fastest rate of flow
RV
residual volume, air remaining in lungs after max exhalation
TLC
total lung capacity, total volume in lungs at full inhalation
TV (or VT)
tidal volume
VC
vital capacity - max air that can be exhaled starting from max inspiration
spirometer def
device that measures the volume of air inspired or expired and records the time over which volume change occurs
What are four main reasons to use spirometry
- diagnostic
- public health (epidemiology studies, reference calcs, etc.)
- monitoring
- disability/impairment evaluations
Diagnostic reasons to use spirometry
- eval sx
- eval abnormal lab reports
- measure effect of disease on pulm fn
- assess pre-op risk
- screen people at risk for pulm dx
- assess prognosis
- assess health status prior to start of strenuous activity
monitoring reasons to use spirometry
- assess therapeutic intervention
- describe course of disease that affects lung fn
- monitor people exposed to injurious agents
- monitor for adverse reactions to drugs with well known pulm toxicity
role of spirometry in primary care
- provide objective measure of airflow restriction/obstruction
- assess reversibility of airflow obstruction
- provide objective measurements for asthma assessment and monitoring
- assist with initial dx of asthma and assessment of asthma control
what age can start using spirometry to dx asthma
=>5 usually
how is asthma reversibility determined using spirometry
After administering short acting bronchodilator:
- increase in FEV1 > 12% from baseline
- increase that is at least 200mL
*2-3 week steroid tx might be required to demonstrate reversibility
Methods to establish dx of asthma
- med history with detailed sx (cough, wheezing, SOB with exercise)
- PE assess respiratory tract, chest, skin
- Spirometry to demonstrate obstruction and assess reversibility
- additional studies as needed to exclude other dx
NAEPP recommends spirometry in five situations (5)
- initial assessment
- after tx to determine “normal” airway fn
- during periods of loss of control
- when assessing change in pharmacotherapy
- every 1-2 years to assess maintenance of airway function (Kaitlin… hahaha)