ALTERATIONS IN PULMONARY
FUNCTION EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Simple spirometry can be used to measure any of the following EXCEPT:
Residual volume.
Vital capacity.
Inspiratory reserve volume.
tidal volume -ANSresidual volume
The NP is seeing a patient with chronic bronchitis that needs spirometry on today's visit.
What pulmonary function test (PFT) findings are anticipated based on the diagnosis of
chronic bronchitis?
Decreased diffusing capacity.
Decreased forced expiratory flow (FEV1).
Increased lung compliance.
Decreased total lung capacity (TLC). -ANSdecreased forced expiratory flow (FEV1)
The NP reviews the results of a patient's pulmonary function tests and notes that the
FEV1, FVC, and total lung capacity (TLC) are reduced. The FEV1/FVC ratio is normal.
Based on interpretation, this reflects:
Combined obstructive-restrictive lung disease.
Restrictive lung disease.
The test is invalid.
Obstructive lung disease. -ANSrestrictive lung disease
The NP notes that a patient's FEV1/FVC ratio is severely reduced. Which of the
following conditions is most likely the patient's pulmonary issue?
Morbid obesity.
Pneumonia.
Chronic asthma.
Pulmonary hypertension. -ANSchronic asthma
A patient with normal lungs should be able to exhale __________% of the forced vital
capacity within the first second.
50
70
80
90 -ANS80%
, What is forced vital capacity (FVC)? -ANSthe volume of air in the lungs that can be
exhaled
normal: 80-120%
What is forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)? -ANSamount of air forcefully
exhaled from the lungs in the first second
normal: 80-120%
What is FEV1/FVC ratio used for? -ANSdetermines if the pattern is obstructive,
restrictive, or normal
Diffusing Capacity -ANShow well the lungs are able to exchange gas. the higher the
surface area the greater the gas exchange
examples of decreased diffusing capacity include emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis
Residual Volume (RV) -ANSthe amount of air that remains in the lungs after a forceful
exhalation
Total Lung Capacity (TLC) -ANSRV + FVC = TLC
Total lung capacity in obstructive diseases -ANSRV and TLC results will be elevated
which reveals air trapping in hyperinflation
Total lung capacity in restrictive diseases -ANSthe TLC is needed to confirm true
restriction. It can also help in quantifying the degree of restriction
Obstructive Pattern -ANSif the FEV1/FVC ratio is less than 70% or less than the lower
limit of normal for the patient. FEV1 also falls to a greater degree than the FVC
Restrictive Pattern -ANSif the FEV1/FVC ratio is greater than 70% or greater than the
lower limit of normal, then the spirometry test is either normal, or restrictive respiratory
abnormality is present. To make this distinction, the NP must look at the TLC. In
restrictive disorders, the percent predicted of TLC is less than 80%.
How do you determine the severity of lung disease? -ANSFEV1 - % predicted
mild - >70%
moderate - 60-70
moderately severe - 50-60
sever - 35-50
very severe < 35%
Obstructive Disorders -ANScharacterized by a reduction in airflow
- result in SOB when exhaling air
FUNCTION EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Simple spirometry can be used to measure any of the following EXCEPT:
Residual volume.
Vital capacity.
Inspiratory reserve volume.
tidal volume -ANSresidual volume
The NP is seeing a patient with chronic bronchitis that needs spirometry on today's visit.
What pulmonary function test (PFT) findings are anticipated based on the diagnosis of
chronic bronchitis?
Decreased diffusing capacity.
Decreased forced expiratory flow (FEV1).
Increased lung compliance.
Decreased total lung capacity (TLC). -ANSdecreased forced expiratory flow (FEV1)
The NP reviews the results of a patient's pulmonary function tests and notes that the
FEV1, FVC, and total lung capacity (TLC) are reduced. The FEV1/FVC ratio is normal.
Based on interpretation, this reflects:
Combined obstructive-restrictive lung disease.
Restrictive lung disease.
The test is invalid.
Obstructive lung disease. -ANSrestrictive lung disease
The NP notes that a patient's FEV1/FVC ratio is severely reduced. Which of the
following conditions is most likely the patient's pulmonary issue?
Morbid obesity.
Pneumonia.
Chronic asthma.
Pulmonary hypertension. -ANSchronic asthma
A patient with normal lungs should be able to exhale __________% of the forced vital
capacity within the first second.
50
70
80
90 -ANS80%
, What is forced vital capacity (FVC)? -ANSthe volume of air in the lungs that can be
exhaled
normal: 80-120%
What is forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)? -ANSamount of air forcefully
exhaled from the lungs in the first second
normal: 80-120%
What is FEV1/FVC ratio used for? -ANSdetermines if the pattern is obstructive,
restrictive, or normal
Diffusing Capacity -ANShow well the lungs are able to exchange gas. the higher the
surface area the greater the gas exchange
examples of decreased diffusing capacity include emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis
Residual Volume (RV) -ANSthe amount of air that remains in the lungs after a forceful
exhalation
Total Lung Capacity (TLC) -ANSRV + FVC = TLC
Total lung capacity in obstructive diseases -ANSRV and TLC results will be elevated
which reveals air trapping in hyperinflation
Total lung capacity in restrictive diseases -ANSthe TLC is needed to confirm true
restriction. It can also help in quantifying the degree of restriction
Obstructive Pattern -ANSif the FEV1/FVC ratio is less than 70% or less than the lower
limit of normal for the patient. FEV1 also falls to a greater degree than the FVC
Restrictive Pattern -ANSif the FEV1/FVC ratio is greater than 70% or greater than the
lower limit of normal, then the spirometry test is either normal, or restrictive respiratory
abnormality is present. To make this distinction, the NP must look at the TLC. In
restrictive disorders, the percent predicted of TLC is less than 80%.
How do you determine the severity of lung disease? -ANSFEV1 - % predicted
mild - >70%
moderate - 60-70
moderately severe - 50-60
sever - 35-50
very severe < 35%
Obstructive Disorders -ANScharacterized by a reduction in airflow
- result in SOB when exhaling air
