Spirometry Flashcards
What is normally recorded in either liters (L) or milliliters (ml), and reported at body temperature, pressure, and saturation (BTPS)?
Vital Capacity (VC).
When does the spirometer not need to produce a graphic display?
If only the vital capacity is to be measured.
Two acceptable vital capacity maneuvers should be obtained within what parameters?
The volumes should be within 150 ml.
What is the maximum volume of gas that can be expired when the patient exhales as forcefully and rapidly as possible after a maximal inspiration?
FVC
What are the three distinct phases to the FVC maneuver?
Maximal inspiration, a ”blast” of exhalation, and continued complete exhalation to the end of the test.
What two ways can the FVC be displayed?
Volume-time recording and flow-volume recording.
Can spirometry measure gas exchange?
No, we can infer gas exchange from spirometry but not directly measure it. Spirometry only measures gas volumes and time (flow = volume/time) – no direct assessment of gas exchange (as does a diffusion capacity measurement).
What does it mean when we say that spirometry is effort-dependent?
Spirometry is highly effort-dependent. Poor effort leads to poor quality data and poor effort spirometry will result in an underestimation of true values (e.g. FEV1, FVC).
How are the normal predicted values of spirometry reported?
Normal predicted values vary with the patient’s sex, age, height, and race. Mean normal for FEV1 and FVC are 100% predicted and the normal range of values is 80-120% predicted (like other lab tests such as serum potassium).
Can normal people have abnormal spirogram results and can diseased patients have normal spirogram results?
Yes, realize that a normal person could have an abnormal spirogram result, and diseased patients can have normal range results (unlikely to have a pre-morbid test to compare).
Is the spirometry test more focused on inspiration or expiration?
Expiration, because of airflow diseases. Especially ones that cause obstruction, somewhat disproportionately affect expiration.
What values cannot be measured from a spirogram?
Residual Volume and Total Lung Capacity.
What is the difference between TLC and RV?
Vital Capacity
What is FEV1?
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second.
What does normal spirometry mean?
FVC > 80% predicted and (80% to 120% is the normal range); FEV1/FVC ratio ≥ 0.75.
What is the effort dependent portion of the curve?
If the patient doesn’t make a good effort and breathe out as hard as he can, it will not look normal.
What is the effort-independent portion?
On the lower end of the expiratory curve, it won’t matter the type of effort that you make- your curve will look the same.
What else constitutes for normal from a spirogram result?
If FEV1 and FVC are greater than or equal to 100% predicted even if FEV1/FVC ratio <0.75- it is still considered normal. Remember that diseased patients can still have normal tests and it is up to you as a clinician to decide.
Can spirometry measure RV?
No, it cannot measure RV because it cannot do that- it cannot measure TLC.
Premature termination of a spirogram leads to what?
FVC is falsely low.
What is the FEV1 going to be in an obstructive disease?
FEV1 <100% predicted.
What is the FVC going to be in an obstructive disease?
FVC may be low or normal.
What is the FEV1/FVC ratio going to be in obstructive disease?
FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.75 (low) (important).
What are some clinical examples of obstructive lung diseases?
Asthma, emphysema, and bronchiectasis.
What will the expiratory curve look like in obstructive lung diseases?
There will be a rapid rise to a peak but usually there will be a ‘scooped-out’ appearance/concavity. This is indicative of expiratory airflow obstruction and usually of the small airways.