Workshop: Lung Function Monitoring

Question 1

What is spirometry used for?

Answer 1

Used in people with asthma or COPD to diagnose airflow obstruction in patients with respiratory symproms or to monitor disease progression, rehabilitation and treatment gains

Question 2

What can spirometry measure?

Answer 2

• Vital capacity VC
• Forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1
• Forced ecpiratorry ratio FER%

Question 3

What is the vital capacity?

Answer 3

• Slow vital capacity SVC is the maximal amount of air exhaled steadily from full inspiration to maximal expiration. Its not time dependant
• Forced vital capacity FVC is the volume of lungs from full inspiration to forced maximal expiration. Its expressed as a percentage of the predciated normal for a person

Question 4

What is the FEV1?

Answer 4

Volume of air expelled in the first second of a forced expiration. Its reduced in both obstructive and restrictive diseases.

Question 5

What Can help differentiate between restrictive and obstructive pulmonary disease?

Answer 5

FEV1/FVC ratio

Question 6

What are restrictive disorders?

Answer 6

due to conditions where lung volume is reduced - eg, fibrosing alveolitis, scoliosis. The FVC and FEV1 are reduced proportionately:

Question 7

What are obstructive disorders?

Answer 7

due to conditions in which airways are obstructed due to diffuse airways narrowing of any cause - eg, asthma, COPD, extensive bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, lung tumours. The FVC and FEV1 are reduced disproportionately: