CH 4 Pulmonary Function Testing
The VT would be seen as the repeated smallest volumes. - ANSWER-Which section of
the spirometry tracing represents the VT?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
a. 410
Alveolar ventilation is estimated by subtracting the patient's ideal body weight in pounds
(170) from the VT (580 mL). - ANSWER-an order is received to calculate a patients
alveolar ventilation. the patients rr is 16 and the average vt is 580. the patient weights
170 lbs. the patients alveolar ventilation is
a. 410
b. 510
c. 750
d. 2720
a. bronchoprovication study
A bronchoprovocation study would be the best test for a patient with an unclear history
or signs and symptoms of asthma. If the patient has any airway hypersensitivity, this
test will cause a measurable decrease in expiratory flow. The other three tests can be
used in the diagnosis of asthma but are not as specific to asthma as a
bronchoprovocation study. - ANSWER-to help in the diagnosis of a patient with a
questionable history of wheezing and possible asthma which of the following would be
the best test?
a. bronchoprovication study
b. flow volume loop
c. before and after bronchodilator study
d. airway resistance
a. exhaled co
The patient's eCO level should be checked to make sure he or she has not been
smoking. This is because smoking increases the carboxyhemoglobin level and will
result in an inaccurate lung diffusion test. Although the other three exhaled gases are
measured in other clinical situations, they are not needed for a lung diffusion test. -
ANSWER-before the lung diffusion test on a patient which of the following should be
measured
, a. exhaled co
b. exhaled co2
c. exhaled no
d. exhaled o
a. fef50% less than fif50%
Flow at the midpoint of expiration normally is less than flow at the midpoint of
inspiration, because the small airways are beginning to close at the halfway point of an
expiratory effort. A flow-volume loop test cannot measure lung diffusion or RV to
calculate the FRC. - ANSWER-a normal MEFV loop test would show
a. fef50% less than fif50%
b. predicted lung diffusion ability
c. fef50% greater than fif50%
d. a normal frc
A. The patients condition is treatable
Tracing C shows an increased peak flow compared with tracing A and correction of the
expiratory "scoop" seen in tracing A. In addition, the inspiratory flow on tracing C is
greater than that on tracing A. All of these changes show significant improvement,
indicating that the patient's condition is treatable. The patient's effort or lack of effort
cannot be determined by looking at the two tracings. Tracing C is normal and does not
justify another bronchodilator treatment. - ANSWER-Tracing A represents a patient with
asthmatic bronchitis, and tracing C represents the same patient 1 hour after receiving
an inhaled bronchodilator medication. What conclusion can be reached?
A. The patient's condition is treatable.
B. The patient is not giving his or her best effort.
C. The patient's condition has worsened.
D. The patient needs another bronchodilator treatment.
B. 2
The ERV represents the volume of air that can be exhaled after a normal VT is exhaled.
Review Figure 4-7 if needed. Do not be confused by VC efforts that look "upside down"
compared with others. Review the various volume-time curve tracings in the chapter for
extra practice determining volumes. Volume No. 1 is the VT. Volume No. 3 is the VC.
Volume No. 4 is the ERV and VT combined. - ANSWER-Which section of the
spirometry tracing represents the expiratory reserve volume?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
The VT would be seen as the repeated smallest volumes. - ANSWER-Which section of
the spirometry tracing represents the VT?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
a. 410
Alveolar ventilation is estimated by subtracting the patient's ideal body weight in pounds
(170) from the VT (580 mL). - ANSWER-an order is received to calculate a patients
alveolar ventilation. the patients rr is 16 and the average vt is 580. the patient weights
170 lbs. the patients alveolar ventilation is
a. 410
b. 510
c. 750
d. 2720
a. bronchoprovication study
A bronchoprovocation study would be the best test for a patient with an unclear history
or signs and symptoms of asthma. If the patient has any airway hypersensitivity, this
test will cause a measurable decrease in expiratory flow. The other three tests can be
used in the diagnosis of asthma but are not as specific to asthma as a
bronchoprovocation study. - ANSWER-to help in the diagnosis of a patient with a
questionable history of wheezing and possible asthma which of the following would be
the best test?
a. bronchoprovication study
b. flow volume loop
c. before and after bronchodilator study
d. airway resistance
a. exhaled co
The patient's eCO level should be checked to make sure he or she has not been
smoking. This is because smoking increases the carboxyhemoglobin level and will
result in an inaccurate lung diffusion test. Although the other three exhaled gases are
measured in other clinical situations, they are not needed for a lung diffusion test. -
ANSWER-before the lung diffusion test on a patient which of the following should be
measured
, a. exhaled co
b. exhaled co2
c. exhaled no
d. exhaled o
a. fef50% less than fif50%
Flow at the midpoint of expiration normally is less than flow at the midpoint of
inspiration, because the small airways are beginning to close at the halfway point of an
expiratory effort. A flow-volume loop test cannot measure lung diffusion or RV to
calculate the FRC. - ANSWER-a normal MEFV loop test would show
a. fef50% less than fif50%
b. predicted lung diffusion ability
c. fef50% greater than fif50%
d. a normal frc
A. The patients condition is treatable
Tracing C shows an increased peak flow compared with tracing A and correction of the
expiratory "scoop" seen in tracing A. In addition, the inspiratory flow on tracing C is
greater than that on tracing A. All of these changes show significant improvement,
indicating that the patient's condition is treatable. The patient's effort or lack of effort
cannot be determined by looking at the two tracings. Tracing C is normal and does not
justify another bronchodilator treatment. - ANSWER-Tracing A represents a patient with
asthmatic bronchitis, and tracing C represents the same patient 1 hour after receiving
an inhaled bronchodilator medication. What conclusion can be reached?
A. The patient's condition is treatable.
B. The patient is not giving his or her best effort.
C. The patient's condition has worsened.
D. The patient needs another bronchodilator treatment.
B. 2
The ERV represents the volume of air that can be exhaled after a normal VT is exhaled.
Review Figure 4-7 if needed. Do not be confused by VC efforts that look "upside down"
compared with others. Review the various volume-time curve tracings in the chapter for
extra practice determining volumes. Volume No. 1 is the VT. Volume No. 3 is the VC.
Volume No. 4 is the ERV and VT combined. - ANSWER-Which section of the
spirometry tracing represents the expiratory reserve volume?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
