Case Study:
Charlene is a 55-year-old female who has had emphysema problems for many years. She has a
20-year history of tobacco use. Today, Charlene was seen in the clinic due today increased
shortness of breath and non-productive cough over the past three days. She has a SaO2 of 90%
with the most recent pulmonary function test findings indicating the following: FVC- 70%
FEV1-69% FEV1/FVC ratio-69%.
Discussion Questions:
1. What physical findings might be indicative of a patient with emphysema?
Physical findings of a patient with emphysema are productive cough only with infection,
otherwise its nonproductive, dyspnea, wheezing, barrel chest, tachypnea with prolonged
expiration, and accessory muscle usage (Brashers, 2023).
2. What is the purpose and interpretations of the pulmonary function test?
Pulmonary function test is a group of tests that measure how well the lungs are working. It
assesses airflow, gas exchange, and lung capacity. It is used to diagnose lung diseases, monitor
progression, and assess treatment effectiveness. Interpretations will classify lung disorders as
either restrictive or obstructive lung disease. Normal findings of spirometry are FEV1/FVC
greater than 70% and both FEV1 and FVC above 80% (Ponce et al., 2023). An FEV1/FVC ratio
of less than 70% defines an obstructive defect. An FVC < 80%, FEV1/FVC > 70%, and the
flow-volume curve shows a convex shape, defines a restrictive defect (Ponce et al., 2023).
Charlene’s FEV1/FVC ratio is 69%, which means she has an obstructive defect.
This study source was downloaded by 100000897929959 from CourseHero.com on 04-03-2025 05:14:45 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248270548/Emphysema-Case-Studydocx/
Charlene is a 55-year-old female who has had emphysema problems for many years. She has a
20-year history of tobacco use. Today, Charlene was seen in the clinic due today increased
shortness of breath and non-productive cough over the past three days. She has a SaO2 of 90%
with the most recent pulmonary function test findings indicating the following: FVC- 70%
FEV1-69% FEV1/FVC ratio-69%.
Discussion Questions:
1. What physical findings might be indicative of a patient with emphysema?
Physical findings of a patient with emphysema are productive cough only with infection,
otherwise its nonproductive, dyspnea, wheezing, barrel chest, tachypnea with prolonged
expiration, and accessory muscle usage (Brashers, 2023).
2. What is the purpose and interpretations of the pulmonary function test?
Pulmonary function test is a group of tests that measure how well the lungs are working. It
assesses airflow, gas exchange, and lung capacity. It is used to diagnose lung diseases, monitor
progression, and assess treatment effectiveness. Interpretations will classify lung disorders as
either restrictive or obstructive lung disease. Normal findings of spirometry are FEV1/FVC
greater than 70% and both FEV1 and FVC above 80% (Ponce et al., 2023). An FEV1/FVC ratio
of less than 70% defines an obstructive defect. An FVC < 80%, FEV1/FVC > 70%, and the
flow-volume curve shows a convex shape, defines a restrictive defect (Ponce et al., 2023).
Charlene’s FEV1/FVC ratio is 69%, which means she has an obstructive defect.
This study source was downloaded by 100000897929959 from CourseHero.com on 04-03-2025 05:14:45 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248270548/Emphysema-Case-Studydocx/
