Pulmonary Function Test

Question 1

What are the reasons why spirometric tests may be undertaken?

Answer 1

• Evaluate if there’s any lung diseaseand discern whether it is obstructive or restrictive
• Monitor progression of disease
• Check if treatment is working
• used for screening

Question 2

What non diseasefactors have the greatest influence on healthy lung volumes

Answer 2

Age

Height

Gender

Activity

Question 3

What are the disease related factors that can affect gas exchange in lungs?

Answer 3

• COPD
• Emphysema
• Fibrosis of the lungs/oedema
• Asthma

they all affect the variables in Fick’s LAW

Question 4

What are the major advantages of Spirometry pulmonary function tests

Answer 4

• Cheap and easy to use
• Non invasive
• Takes a short amount of time to perform
• Can extract a lot of information from results

Question 5

What are the major disadvantages of Spirometric pulmonary function tests

Answer 5

• Cause light headness/syncope
• Quite hard for people to use
• May not have motivation to blow out to get maximum response

Question 6

What is the difference between static lung tests and dynamic lung tests

give examples of each

Answer 6

Static is just measuring a volume

Dynamic is measuring a flow rate and volume over a short period of time

Question 7

Calculate FEV1, (FEV1/FVC) and PEF

what disease if any does the patient have

explain the airflow pattern at the end after t=2secs

How can I confirm that this is Truly reflective of this patient’s PEF, FEV1, etc

Answer 7

Irregular airflow pattern- the patient is a poor blower and can’t perform tests properly

Do tests 3 times to get consistent results; if not consistent/concordant look for other tests

Question 8

LOOK at the graph- red line

calculate every possible thing you could from it

Say what type of disease it is

What is the effect of the blue line

Answer 8

Obstrucitve disease pattern

blue line represents bronchodilators added - it increases FEV1, and PEF. However, FVC is the same

Question 9

What are the possible reasons for having a restrictive disease pattern

Answer 9

• Fibrosis
• obesity
• weak respiratory muscles

Question 10

In this case why was predicted VC much higher than actual VC

Answer 10

Test performed why sitting down. RIBS CANT expand as much and content of the gut are pushing against diaphragm hence diaphragm cant move downwards as much as possible.

Question 11

Look at this graph; comment on the differences between normal tidal breathing and hyper inflated lungs

also try to locate PEF

Answer 11

Flow rate gets larger

higher rate of breathing (BPM)

the Thresholds for T Volume increased- as you didnt empty all lungs out; i.e. you’re breathing using inspiratory reserve volume. However amount of air you breathe put is the same.