Test Protocols

Question 1

Blood Pressure Protocol

Answer 1

• Seated for at least 5 minutes, relaxed, no moving / speaking
• Sit with legs uncrossed and forearm rested on the table
• The arm must be supported at the level of the heart
• Ensure no tight clothing constricts the arm
• Place the cuff on neatly with the centre of the bladder over the brachial artery. The bladder should encircle at least 80% of the arm (but not more than 100%)
• Initially test blood pressure in both arms and use arm with highest reading for subsequent measurement

Question 2

Peak Expiratory Flow definition

Answer 2

A persons maximum speed of expiration

Question 3

Peak Expiratory Flow Protocol

Answer 3

• Insert a mouthpiece into the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) meter.
• Slide the needle back to the bottom of the numbered scale.
• Ensure the participant is standing or sitting up straight.
• Instruct the participant to hold the PEFR meter between two hands with the sliding scale on top.
• Record the value at which the sliding scale stops.
• After a short break, repeat the previous steps. If there is a large difference between test result, perform a third test.
• Compare the results with a norm table

Question 4

Forced Vital Capacity Definition

Answer 4

The maximum amount of oxygen a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation.

Equal to sum of of Inspiratory reserve volume, Tidal volume and Expiratory reserve volume

Question 5

Tidal volume

Answer 5

Volume of gas in lungs after max inspiration

Question 6

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Answer 6

Max amount of gas that can be expired following max inhalation

Question 7

Expiratory Reserve volume

Answer 7

Max volume of gas that can be inspired at the end of tidal inspiration

Question 8

Residual Volume

Answer 8

Amount of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of a tidal expiration

Question 9

Force Vital Capacity Protocol

Answer 9

• Instruct the participant to stand if possible.
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• Place the mouthpiece in the participants mouth and practice forming a seal around the mouthpiece. Place a nose clip on the participant if possible.
• Ask the participant to breathe normally before the test.
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• On your command they are to inhale as much air as possible and then upon full inhalation, the participant should forcefully and rapidly exhale the air as quickly as possible until their lungs are completely empty.
• Set the device to the FVC setting
• When ready ask the participant to complete the test.
• Make sure they continue to breathe normally after the test.
• Interpret the FVC and FEV1 test results
• Normal adult vital capacity is between 3 - 5 litres