Pulmonary Function Testing Final Exam: Practice Questions

Measuring Respiratory Parameters

• Wright Respirometer Usage

  • Can measure tidal volume, vital capacity, minute volume (Answer: D)

• Accuracy Assurance in ABG Lab

  • Running the same sample on multiple machines is called Proficiency Testing (Answer: C)

• Measuring Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)

  • Use a Pressure manometer (Answer: C)

• Calculating Tidal Volume

  • Given a minute volume of 7.35 L and a respiratory rate of 18/minute, the tidal volume is 408 ml (Answer: B)

Equipment and Testing Standards

• Considerations Before Reporting Results

  • Equipment, Technologist, and Patient performance should all be considered (Answer: D)

• Calibration of Gas Analyzers

  • Nitrogen should be calibrated to a 0% reading first (Answer: A)

• Minute Ventilation Measurement Using Wright's Respirometer

  • Count the number of breaths during the period (Answer: B)

• Equipment Standards

  • Set by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) (Answer: D)

Diseases and Compliance

• Increased Compliance Diseases

  • Chronic bronchitis is likely to exhibit increased compliance (Answer: B)

• Total Lung and Thoracic Compliance

  • Less inspired volume per cmH2O in CLT than in either CL or CT alone (Answer: A)

• Ventilatory Inspiratory Muscle Strength Indicator

  • Maximal inspiratory pressure (Answer: C)

• Transpulmonary Pressure Measurement

  • Use an Intraesophageal balloon (Answer: B)

Miscellaneous Testing

• Nitrogen Analyzer Maintenance

  • Take it for corrective maintenance if malfunctioning (Answer: C)

• Calibration of Gases in ABG Lab

  • Calculate the concentration of O2 in mmHg to assure calibration (Answer: A)

• Spirometer Calibration

  • Result variations within expected range indicate accuracy (Answer: B)

• Formulas for Lung Volumes

  • RV = FRC - ERV, IC = TLC - RV, and others

Common Lung Volume Formulas

• IC Calculation

  • IC = TLC - FRC

• RV Calculation

  • RV = TLC - VC

• TLC Calculation

  • TLC = VC + RV

• FRC Calculation

  • FRC = RV + ERV

Specific Conditions and Responses

• Obstructive Disorders

  • FEV1/FVC% > 80% predicted indicates obstructive pattern

• Restrictive Disorders

  • Reduced FVC, RV, TLC with normal ratios

• Bronchodilator Response

  • 15% improvement indicates response

Gas Analyzers and Calibration

• Gas Needed for N2 Analyzer Calibration

  • Use 79% N2 (Answer: C)

• Inaccurate ABG Results due to Temperature

  • Failure to correct for hypothermia results in inaccurate ABG

• Breath-by-Breath Analysis

  • Mass spectrometry suitable for nitrogen washout

Closing Thoughts

• Mastering PFT is crucial for optimal patient care and advancing expertise in respiratory care.
• Practice questions help to solidify understanding and application in clinical and exam settings.