A pre- and postbronchodilator, partial expiratory pressure-volume maneuver was performed on a 9-month-old boy. The child's prebronchodilator maxFRC was 67 mL/second and the postbronchodilator maxFRC was 94 mL/second. How should the therapist interpret these data?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

PEFV studies are frequently performed before and after aerosolized bronchodilator therapy. An increase in maximal expiratory flow at FRC by at least 20% demonstrates a positive response to bronchodilator therapy. The maxFRC values presented in the question (pre-maxFRC, 67 mL/s; and post-maxFRC, 94 mL/s) indicate a 40% improvement.

A Pre- and Postbronchodilator, Partial Expiratory Pressure-Volume Maneuver Was Performed