PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST (PFT)
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is measured in a pulmonary function test? - ANS - Spirometry (FEV1, FVC, VC,
FEV1/FVC)
- Lung volume (TLC, RV)
- DLCO (diffuse capacity for carbon monoxide)
What other tests are done alongside spirometry to see how well the lungs are working? -
ANS - ABG
- Pulse oximetry
- PEFR
- 6-minute walk test (how far they can work, symptoms e.g. SOB, oxygen sats)
What are the indications for a spirometry? - ANS - Diagnosis of symptomatic disease e.g.
whether disease is obstructive or restrictive
- Assess severity
- Monitoring response to treatment e.g. bronchodilators, steroids
- Prognosis of known disease e.g. those in need of lobectomy --> surgical risk
- Screening for early asymptomatic disease e.g. patients on amiodarone, bleomycin, MTX,
nitrofurantonin
What is measured in spirometry? - ANS - FVC : The total volume of air forcibly expired after a
full inspiration
- FEV1: Volume of air patient is able to expire in the first second of a forced expiration
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, - FEV1/FVC
- PEF: maximum flow achieved from a forced expiration
What are the normal values in spirometry dependent on? - ANS Age, sex, height, ethnicity
What kinds of errors occur in spirometry? - ANS Poor seal around mouthpiece, hesitation/
false starts, early termination of exhalation, poor intake of breath, poor forced expiration,
cough during procedure, incorrect data into spirometry prior to testing
List some contraindications to spirometry - ANS - Haemoptysis currently
- Current infection e.g. TB
- Acute disorders e.g. nausea , vomiting
- Unstable angina
No Hx in the last 3 months of:
- MI
- Eye, Thoracic, Abdominal surgery
- Aneurysm
- Pneumothorax
- Ruptured tympanic membrane
Patients must be clinically stable
What must you check for before conducting a spirometry test? - ANS - Patient's name and
DOB
- Why they are having the spirometry test
- Are they clinically stable
- Any contra-indications
2 Copyright ©2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is measured in a pulmonary function test? - ANS - Spirometry (FEV1, FVC, VC,
FEV1/FVC)
- Lung volume (TLC, RV)
- DLCO (diffuse capacity for carbon monoxide)
What other tests are done alongside spirometry to see how well the lungs are working? -
ANS - ABG
- Pulse oximetry
- PEFR
- 6-minute walk test (how far they can work, symptoms e.g. SOB, oxygen sats)
What are the indications for a spirometry? - ANS - Diagnosis of symptomatic disease e.g.
whether disease is obstructive or restrictive
- Assess severity
- Monitoring response to treatment e.g. bronchodilators, steroids
- Prognosis of known disease e.g. those in need of lobectomy --> surgical risk
- Screening for early asymptomatic disease e.g. patients on amiodarone, bleomycin, MTX,
nitrofurantonin
What is measured in spirometry? - ANS - FVC : The total volume of air forcibly expired after a
full inspiration
- FEV1: Volume of air patient is able to expire in the first second of a forced expiration
1 Copyright ©2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, - FEV1/FVC
- PEF: maximum flow achieved from a forced expiration
What are the normal values in spirometry dependent on? - ANS Age, sex, height, ethnicity
What kinds of errors occur in spirometry? - ANS Poor seal around mouthpiece, hesitation/
false starts, early termination of exhalation, poor intake of breath, poor forced expiration,
cough during procedure, incorrect data into spirometry prior to testing
List some contraindications to spirometry - ANS - Haemoptysis currently
- Current infection e.g. TB
- Acute disorders e.g. nausea , vomiting
- Unstable angina
No Hx in the last 3 months of:
- MI
- Eye, Thoracic, Abdominal surgery
- Aneurysm
- Pneumothorax
- Ruptured tympanic membrane
Patients must be clinically stable
What must you check for before conducting a spirometry test? - ANS - Patient's name and
DOB
- Why they are having the spirometry test
- Are they clinically stable
- Any contra-indications
2 Copyright ©2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
