NBRC TMC Pulmonary Function Testing Exam
Questions and Verified Answers with Rationale |
Latest Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
A patient undergoes diagnostic spirometry. Which of the
following parameters represents the maximum volume of air that
can be exhaled forcibly after a maximal inspiration?
A. Functional residual capacity
B. Forced vital capacity
C. Inspiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Forced vital capacity is the maximum volume of air
exhaled forcefully and rapidly from the lungs after a maximal
inhalation effort, serving as a primary spirometric indicator of
restrictive or obstructive defects.
Question 2
When evaluating pulmonary function test results, a patient
presents with a total lung capacity of 52 percent of predicted, a
forced vital capacity of 54 percent of predicted, and a forced
expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio of
84 percent. These findings are characteristic of which of the
following disorders?
, A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Bronchial asthma
C. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
D. Pulmonary emphysema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A reduced total lung capacity below the lower limit
of normal combined with a normal or elevated forced expiratory
volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio defines a
restrictive ventilatory defect. Pulmonary fibrosis is a primary
interstitial lung disease causing parenchymal restriction.
Question 3
Which of the following pulmonary function test values is
defined as the volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of
a normal tidal expiration?
A. Total lung capacity
B. Functional residual capacity
C. Inspiratory capacity
D. Residual volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Functional residual capacity is the volume of air
remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal, passive tidal
exhalation, representing the balance point between outward
chest wall recoil and inward lung elastic recoil.
Question 4
,A patient performs pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry
during a clinical evaluation for suspected reversible airway
obstruction. Which of the following improvements in forced
expiratory volume in one second or forced vital capacity
confirms significant bronchodilator responsiveness?
A. An increase of at least 5 percent and 100 mL from
baseline
B. An increase of at least 12 percent and 200 mL from
baseline
C. An increase of at least 20 percent and 400 mL from
baseline
D. An increase of at least 30 percent and 500 mL from
baseline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to official American Thoracic Society and
European Respiratory Society standards, a significant positive
bronchodilator response is defined as an increase in either forced
expiratory volume in one second or forced vital capacity by both
12 percent or more and 200 mL or more above baseline values.
Question 5
During a routine spirometry session, a patient demonstrates a
scooped-out or concave expiratory flow-volume loop pattern.
This graphical finding is most indicative of which of the
following conditions?
A. Severe restrictive pulmonary fibrosis
B. Fixed upper airway tracheal stenosis
, C. Obstructive airway disease such as asthma or
emphysema
D. Neuromuscular weakness with low vital capacity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A scooped-out or coved expiratory curve on a flow-
volume loop reflects prolonged exhalation and flow limitation
caused by airway narrowing and increased resistance, which is
characteristic of obstructive pulmonary disorders.
Question 6
Which of the following methods is considered the gold standard
for measuring total lung capacity, functional residual capacity,
and residual volume in patients with suspected air trapping or
hyperinflation?
A. Closed-circuit helium dilution method
B. Nitrogen washout spirometry technique
C. Body plethysmography using Boyle law
D. Posteroanterior chest radiograph planimetry
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Body plethysmography utilizes Boyle law to measure
all thoracic gas volume, including trapped gas that does not
communicate with the airway tree, making it the most accurate
method for determining total lung capacity and residual volume
in obstructive disease.
Question 7
Questions and Verified Answers with Rationale |
Latest Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
A patient undergoes diagnostic spirometry. Which of the
following parameters represents the maximum volume of air that
can be exhaled forcibly after a maximal inspiration?
A. Functional residual capacity
B. Forced vital capacity
C. Inspiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Forced vital capacity is the maximum volume of air
exhaled forcefully and rapidly from the lungs after a maximal
inhalation effort, serving as a primary spirometric indicator of
restrictive or obstructive defects.
Question 2
When evaluating pulmonary function test results, a patient
presents with a total lung capacity of 52 percent of predicted, a
forced vital capacity of 54 percent of predicted, and a forced
expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio of
84 percent. These findings are characteristic of which of the
following disorders?
, A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Bronchial asthma
C. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
D. Pulmonary emphysema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A reduced total lung capacity below the lower limit
of normal combined with a normal or elevated forced expiratory
volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio defines a
restrictive ventilatory defect. Pulmonary fibrosis is a primary
interstitial lung disease causing parenchymal restriction.
Question 3
Which of the following pulmonary function test values is
defined as the volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of
a normal tidal expiration?
A. Total lung capacity
B. Functional residual capacity
C. Inspiratory capacity
D. Residual volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Functional residual capacity is the volume of air
remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal, passive tidal
exhalation, representing the balance point between outward
chest wall recoil and inward lung elastic recoil.
Question 4
,A patient performs pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry
during a clinical evaluation for suspected reversible airway
obstruction. Which of the following improvements in forced
expiratory volume in one second or forced vital capacity
confirms significant bronchodilator responsiveness?
A. An increase of at least 5 percent and 100 mL from
baseline
B. An increase of at least 12 percent and 200 mL from
baseline
C. An increase of at least 20 percent and 400 mL from
baseline
D. An increase of at least 30 percent and 500 mL from
baseline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to official American Thoracic Society and
European Respiratory Society standards, a significant positive
bronchodilator response is defined as an increase in either forced
expiratory volume in one second or forced vital capacity by both
12 percent or more and 200 mL or more above baseline values.
Question 5
During a routine spirometry session, a patient demonstrates a
scooped-out or concave expiratory flow-volume loop pattern.
This graphical finding is most indicative of which of the
following conditions?
A. Severe restrictive pulmonary fibrosis
B. Fixed upper airway tracheal stenosis
, C. Obstructive airway disease such as asthma or
emphysema
D. Neuromuscular weakness with low vital capacity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A scooped-out or coved expiratory curve on a flow-
volume loop reflects prolonged exhalation and flow limitation
caused by airway narrowing and increased resistance, which is
characteristic of obstructive pulmonary disorders.
Question 6
Which of the following methods is considered the gold standard
for measuring total lung capacity, functional residual capacity,
and residual volume in patients with suspected air trapping or
hyperinflation?
A. Closed-circuit helium dilution method
B. Nitrogen washout spirometry technique
C. Body plethysmography using Boyle law
D. Posteroanterior chest radiograph planimetry
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Body plethysmography utilizes Boyle law to measure
all thoracic gas volume, including trapped gas that does not
communicate with the airway tree, making it the most accurate
method for determining total lung capacity and residual volume
in obstructive disease.
Question 7
