Pulmonary System & Function: NR 507 Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Pulmonary System & Function: NR 507 Practice
Questions & Answers (2026)




http://www.fammed.usouthal.edu/Pulmonology/Self-StudyAids/PFTs/PFTCaseQuestions
%26Answers.pdf - correct answersVisit this site for case examples on d d d d d d d d d d




Pulmonary Function Testing Case Questions and Answers d d d d d d




-FVC / Forced Vital Capacity
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-FEV1 / Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second
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-TLC / Total Lung Capacity
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-RV / Residual Volume
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-DLCO / Diffusion Capacity for Carbon Monoxide
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-BD / Bronchodilator - correct answersAbbreviations:
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Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are non-invasive tests that provide information about lung function. PFTs
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alone cannot differentiate among the causes of respiratory abnormalities. Therefore, the patient's history,
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physical exam and other diagnostics must be considered when making a diagnosis.
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The PFT can help the NP determine the patient's respiratory pattern, specifically if the abnormality is due to an
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obstructive or restrictive problem. Once the pattern is identified, PFTs allow the NP to determine the severity
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of the disease. This data combined with other patient findings, leads to a diagnosis. - correct
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answersMechanics of Respiration: Pulmonary Function Tests d d d d d

,1. When signs and symptoms of a respiratory problem require evaluation (cough, dyspnea, cyanosis,
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wheezing, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and lung hyperinflation).
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2. When disease progression needs to be determined.
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3. When monitoring the effectiveness of drug therapy.
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4. When monitoring for potential toxic effects of certain drugs. - correct answersThere are some indications
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to help the NP to determine when to order PFTs:
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Spirometry: This measures air movement in and out of the lungs during various respiratory maneuvers. The
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NP can also determine how much air the patient is breathing in and out and how fast the patient is doing it.
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Think about the respiratory cycle in terms of lung volume and lung capacities. The capacity is just simply the
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sum of one of more volumes.
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There are three important measures on which the NP focuses when reviewing spirometry results: - correct
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answersComponents of a Pulmonary Function Tests d d d d d




Spirometry



Measure

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC); Normal 80-120%
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Definition

The FVC measures the volume of air in the lungs that can be exhaled.
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Maneuver

Patient inhales as deep as possible and then exhales as long and as forcefully as possible. - correct
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answersThere are three important measures on which the NP focuses when reviewing spirometry results: 1.)
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FVC



Measure

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1); Normal 80-120%
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Definition

, Amount of air forcefully exhaled from the lungs in the first second.
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Maneuver

The patient inhales and forcefully exhales as fast as possible. - correct answersThere are three important
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measures on which the NP focuses when reviewing spirometry results: 2.) FEV1
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Measure

FEV1/FVC ratio d




Definition

Determines if the pattern is obstructive, restrictive or normal d d d d d d d d




Maneuver

This is a calculated ratio that represents the proportion of a person's vital capacity that they are able to expire
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in the first second of forced expiration to the full, forced vital capacity. - correct answersThere are three
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important measures on which the NP focuses when reviewing spirometry results: 3.) FEV1/FVC ratio
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The diffusing capacity is simply how well the lungs are able to exchange gas. Gas exchange is most efficient in a
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lung that has high surface area because it's easier for the blood to pick up the gas that's being exchange. An
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example of a condition that decreases the patient's diffusing capacity because of a loss of surface area is
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emphysema. Conditions that increase the lungs thickness can also decrease diffusing capacity as in the case of
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pulmonary fibrosis. - correct answersComponents of a Pulmonary Function Tests:
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Diffusing capacity d




RV is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after a forceful exhalation. RV + FVC = TLC.
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Note that the RV cannot be measured by spirometry. Other methods are used that require the patient to
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inhale an inert gas (helium) or sit in an airtight booth where the pressure is measured during breathing. These
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measurements are also called static lung volumes. The values add to the information obtained from d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d




spirometry. d