Lecture 2: Measuring Lung Function

Question 1

what is peak flow rate used for

Answer 1

• diagnosing asthma
• monitoring day to day variation
• assessing response to treatment

Question 2

what are the main causes of airway obstruction

Answer 2

• mucus
• bronchoconstriction
• compression
• COPD

Question 3

what are the ways of measuring lung volumes

Answer 3

• helium dilution

- plethysmography

Question 4

what are the causes of restriction and decreased lung volumes

Answer 4

• alveolar filling eg pneumonia
• lung tissue disease eg fibrotic lung disease
• pleural disease
• chest wall disease
• weakness due to nerve or muscle disease