Solutions
Which of the following are indications for assessing pulmonary function?
1. Screen for pulmonary disease.
2. Evaluate patients for surgical risk.
3. Assess the progression of disease.
4. Assist in diagnosing cardiac disability. CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Screen for
pulmonary disease.
2. Evaluate patients for surgical risk.
3. Assess the progression of disease.
Which of the following are considered relative contraindications for lung volume
determinations?
1. Recent cataract removal surgery
2. Unstable cardiovascular status
3. Treated pneumothorax
4. Hemoptysis of unknown origin CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Recent cataract removal
surgery
2. Unstable cardiovascular status
4. Hemoptysis of unknown origin
What is the primary problem in obstructive lung disease? CORRECT ANSWERS
Increased airway resistance
Which of the following measure is typically increased in patients with restrictive lung
disease? CORRECT ANSWERS Pressure needed to expand the lung
You perform a series of pulmonary function tests on a patient with a potentially
infectious disease carried via the airborne route. Which of the following infection-control
procedures should you implement?
1. Wear a respirator or close-fitting surgical mask.
2. Dispose of, sterilize, or disinfect the tubing circuit after testing.
3. Clean the interior surface of the spirometer before the next test. CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. Wear a respirator or close-fitting surgical mask.
2. Dispose of, sterilize, or disinfect the tubing circuit after testing.
Which of the following pulmonary function devices directly collect and measure gas
volumes?
1. Water-sealed spirometer
2. Dry rolling-seal spirometer
3. Bellows spirometer
4. Pneumotachometer CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Water-sealed spirometer
2. Dry rolling-seal spirometer
, 3. Bellows spirometer
To what does the range or limit of a device's measuring ability refer? CORRECT
ANSWERS Capacity
How closely a device measures a certain reference value refers to what quality?
CORRECT ANSWERS Accuracy
What would you use to determine the accuracy of a water-sealed spirometer in
measuring lung volumes? CORRECT ANSWERS Calibrated 3-L syringe
While checking the accuracy of a portable spirometer for volumetric measures with a
calibrated super syringe, you obtain a mean measured value of 2.7 L. What is the
percent error of this instrument? CORRECT ANSWERS 10%
What is the ability of a measuring device to consistently provide the same measure of
the same quantity? CORRECT ANSWERS Precision
What do we measure to determine the precision of an instrument? CORRECT
ANSWERS Standard deviation (SD) of the mean measured reference value
What is the American Thoracic Society standard for volumetric accuracy of
spirometers? CORRECT ANSWERS ±3% error, or within 50 ml of the reference value
What is the American Thoracic Society standard for accuracy when measuring flows
during pulmonary function testing? CORRECT ANSWERS 95% accuracy or within 0.20
L/sec, whichever is greater
How often should a spirometer in continual use undergo volumetric calibration?
CORRECT ANSWERS At least daily
Tests of pulmonary mechanics include
1. maximum voluntary ventilation.
2. functional residual capacity.
3. forced expiratory flows.
4. forced expiratory volumes. CORRECT ANSWERS 1. maximum voluntary ventilation.
3. forced expiratory flows.
4. forced expiratory volumes.
Which of the following adverse reactions are typically seen with pulmonary function
testing?
1. Syncope
2. Cough
3. Hemoptysis
4. Chest pain CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Syncope
2. Cough