PFT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100% RATED
A+ NEWLY UPDATED 2025
According to ATS guidelines, pulmonary function test (PFT) results should
always be reported in which format?
✔✔ BTPS (Body Temperature and Pressure, Saturated)
Explanation:
BTPS conditions reflect the environment inside the lungs, which ensures accurate
and standardized interpretation of lung volumes and flows.
Which gas is used in DLCO testing due to its high binding affinity for
hemoglobin?
✔✔ Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Explanation:
Carbon monoxide is ideal for measuring diffusion capacity because it binds readily
with hemoglobin, allowing assessment of how well gases move across the
alveolar-capillary membrane.
A patient has a pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ of 2.4 L. After two puffs of albuterol,
the FEV₁ improves to 3.4 L. What is the percentage increase?
✔✔ 42% increase
Calculation:
Percent Improvement=(3.4−2.42.4)×100=1.02.4×100=41.7%≈42%\text{Percent
Improvement} = \left( \frac{3.4 - 2.4}{2.4} \right) \times 100 = \frac{1.0}{2.4}
\times 100 = 41.7\% \approx 42\%Percent Improvement=(2.43.4−2.4)×100=2.41.0
×100=41.7%≈42%
Which of the following values would indicate the need for mechanical
ventilation in a patient with a neuromuscular disorder?
, Test Value Result Indicates Ventilation Needed?
MIP < -20 cm H₂O ✔✔ Yes Weak inspiratory muscles
VC < 10 mL/kg ✔✔ Yes Severely reduced lung volume
FEV₁% < 70% ✘ No Suggests obstruction but not ventilation need
FRC < 120% ✘ No Not a reliable marker for neuromuscular weakness
Which of the following tests is the determinate factor when diagnosing obstructive
sleep apnea? - ANSWER✔✔Polysomnography
Which of the following can be used to calculate the Inspiratory Capacity (IC)? -
ANSWER✔✔VC - ERV
Which of the following simple devices is primarily used for hospital bedside, and
home monitoring of an asthma patient's degree of airway obstruction? -
ANSWER✔✔Peak flow meter
The definition "devices that measure flow and convert the results in to a volume
reading" best describes which device? - ANSWER✔✔Pneumotachometer
Peak expiratory flow rate is used to monitor which of the following? -
ANSWER✔✔The total amount of force used to exhale
The FRC would likely be shown to be increased above normal in: -
ANSWER✔✔Pulmonary fibrosis: no
Chronic Bronchitis: yes
Asbestosis: no
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 100% RATED
A+ NEWLY UPDATED 2025
According to ATS guidelines, pulmonary function test (PFT) results should
always be reported in which format?
✔✔ BTPS (Body Temperature and Pressure, Saturated)
Explanation:
BTPS conditions reflect the environment inside the lungs, which ensures accurate
and standardized interpretation of lung volumes and flows.
Which gas is used in DLCO testing due to its high binding affinity for
hemoglobin?
✔✔ Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Explanation:
Carbon monoxide is ideal for measuring diffusion capacity because it binds readily
with hemoglobin, allowing assessment of how well gases move across the
alveolar-capillary membrane.
A patient has a pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ of 2.4 L. After two puffs of albuterol,
the FEV₁ improves to 3.4 L. What is the percentage increase?
✔✔ 42% increase
Calculation:
Percent Improvement=(3.4−2.42.4)×100=1.02.4×100=41.7%≈42%\text{Percent
Improvement} = \left( \frac{3.4 - 2.4}{2.4} \right) \times 100 = \frac{1.0}{2.4}
\times 100 = 41.7\% \approx 42\%Percent Improvement=(2.43.4−2.4)×100=2.41.0
×100=41.7%≈42%
Which of the following values would indicate the need for mechanical
ventilation in a patient with a neuromuscular disorder?
, Test Value Result Indicates Ventilation Needed?
MIP < -20 cm H₂O ✔✔ Yes Weak inspiratory muscles
VC < 10 mL/kg ✔✔ Yes Severely reduced lung volume
FEV₁% < 70% ✘ No Suggests obstruction but not ventilation need
FRC < 120% ✘ No Not a reliable marker for neuromuscular weakness
Which of the following tests is the determinate factor when diagnosing obstructive
sleep apnea? - ANSWER✔✔Polysomnography
Which of the following can be used to calculate the Inspiratory Capacity (IC)? -
ANSWER✔✔VC - ERV
Which of the following simple devices is primarily used for hospital bedside, and
home monitoring of an asthma patient's degree of airway obstruction? -
ANSWER✔✔Peak flow meter
The definition "devices that measure flow and convert the results in to a volume
reading" best describes which device? - ANSWER✔✔Pneumotachometer
Peak expiratory flow rate is used to monitor which of the following? -
ANSWER✔✔The total amount of force used to exhale
The FRC would likely be shown to be increased above normal in: -
ANSWER✔✔Pulmonary fibrosis: no
Chronic Bronchitis: yes
Asbestosis: no
