Question 1

All of the following are true of the peak expiratory flow rate test EXCEPT it:
A) is effort dependent.
B) is taken from the FVC test results.
C) is taken from the MVV test results.
D) assesses large upper airways.

Accepted Answer

The maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) test is used to measure the maximum amount of air that can be breathed in a minute. The peak flow requires maximum effort from the patient, is taken from the FVC test, and assesses flow through the large upper airways.

Question 2

The FEF_25%-75% is used to evaluate: A) flow in large airways. B) restrictive lung disease. C) maximum breathing effort. D) flow in medium-size to small airways.

Accepted Answer

Expiratory flow in medium-size to small airways is assessed by the FEF_25%-75% test. Other tests would be needed to assess the other listed options.

Question 3

The respiratory therapist is called to the neurologic care unit to assess the muscle strength of a patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Which of the following tests should the therapist recommend to assess respiratory muscle strength?
A) Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP)
B) Maximum inspiratory flow rate (MIFR)
C) Maximum expiratory flow rate (MEFR)
D) Vital capacity (VC)

Accepted Answer

The most commonly used tests to evaluate the patient's respiratory muscle strength at the bedside are maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV).

Question 4

A respiratory therapist has just performed a pulmonary function study and notes that the results show obstructive lung disease with a decreased DLCO value. Which of the following is the best interpretation of these results?
A) The patient has pulmonary fibrosis.
B) The patient has asthma.
C) The patient has cystic fibrosis.
D) The patient has emphysema.
E) The patient has chronic bronchitis.

Accepted Answer

A decreased DLCO is a hallmark clinical manifestation in emphysema because of the destruction of the alveolar pulmonary capillaries and decreased surface area for gas diffusion associated with the disease. The DLCO is usually normal in all other obstructive lung disorders. Pulmonary fibrosis is a restrictive disease, not an obstructive disease.

Question 5

A special indirect measurement procedure must be done to find which of the following?
A) Inspiratory reserve volume
B) Residual volume
C) Expiratory reserve volume
D) Inspiratory capacity

Accepted Answer

Because the residual volume cannot be measured by spirometry, special procedures and equipment must be used to indirectly measure it. The other listed options can be directly measured by spirometry.

Question 6

Pulmonary function studies are done for all of the following measurements EXCEPT:
A) the patient's carbon monoxide level.
B) lung volumes and capacities.
C) pulmonary diffusion capacity.
D) forced expiratory flow rates.

Accepted Answer

A blood sample must be analyzed by a cooximeter to determine a patient's carbon monoxide level. All of the other listed options can be measured on a pulmonary function test.

Question 7

Total lung capacity is composed of all of the following EXCEPT:
A) IRV.
B) IC.
C) ERV.
D) RV.

Accepted Answer

ATotal lung capacity (TLC) can be calculated by adding IC, ERV, and RV.

Question 8

A patient has restrictive lung disease. In response to this, which of the following are typically found?
1) Decreased lung compliance
2) Increased ventilatory rate
3) Increased tidal volume
4) Decreased ventilatory rate
A) 3, 4
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2
D) 1, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

Restrictive lung disorders result in an increase in lung rigidity, which in turn decreases lung compliance. When lung compliance decreases, the ventilatory rate increases and the tidal volume decreases.

Question 9

Which of the following forced vital capacity test times should be interpreted as normal?
A) Less than 4 seconds
B) 4 to 6 seconds
C) 6 to 8 seconds
D) 8 to 10 seconds

Accepted Answer

A normal adult will exhale a forced vital capacity (FVC) within 4 to 6 seconds. Patients with restrictive lung diseases may blow out the FVC in less than 4 seconds. Patients with obstructive lung diseases will need more than 6 seconds to blow out the FVC.

Question 10

The respiratory therapist is performing a pulmonary function study on a patient who has periodic symptoms of asthma. The pulmonary function results are within normal limits. What further testing can the therapist recommend to aid in either confirming or negating the possible diagnosis?
A) Inhaled methacholine challenge testing
B) Body plethysmography
C) Inhaled digitalis
D) Warm, humid air challenge

Accepted Answer

Because some patients have clinical manifestations associated with asthma but normal lung function, measurements of airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine or a cold air challenge may be useful in confirming a diagnosis of asthma. A warm, humid air challenge would not be effective in producing results consistent with airway reactiveness. Body plethysmography is used to determine functional residual capacity. This would not be helpful in establishing a diagnosis of asthma.

Question 11

In response to a restrictive lung disorder, which of the following is typically found?
1) Decreased lung compliance
2) Increased ventilatory rate
3) Decreased tidal volume
4) Decreased lung rigidity
A) 1
B) 2, 3
C) 2, 3, 4
D) 1, 2, 3

Accepted Answer

With a restrictive lung disorder, there will be increased lung rigidity. This causes decreased lung compliance. As a result, the patient breathes faster and with a smaller tidal volume.

Question 12

The pulmonary diffusion capacity of the carbon monoxide test is used to:
A) assess the patient's blood carbon monoxide level.
B) remove carbon monoxide from the patient's blood.
C) measure the residual volume.
D) assess the alveolar-capillary membrane.

Accepted Answer

Alveolar-capillary membrane function is measured by the pulmonary diffusion capacity of the carbon monoxide test. A very small amount of carbon monoxide (CO) is inhaled by the patient to perform the test. But the CO level is not measured in the blood, and CO is not removed from the blood.

Question 13

Overall characteristics of pulmonary function testing results on a patient with obstructive lung disease include that the FEV₁: A) is reduced and FEV1% is normal. B) and FEV₁% are both increased. C) and FEV₁% are both reduced. D) is increased and FEV1% is decreased.

Accepted Answer

Because of airway narrowing problems, a patient with obstructive lung disease will have a reduced FEV₁ volume and FEV₁% flow. A patient with restrictive lung problems may have FEV₁ reduced and FEV₁% normal. The other combinations are not seen.

Quiz 3: Pulmonary Function Study Assessments

All of the following are true of the peak expiratory flow rate test EXCEPT it:

The FEF25%-75% is used to evaluate:

The respiratory therapist is called to the neurologic care unit to assess the muscle strength of a patient diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Which of the following tests should the therapist recommend to assess respiratory muscle strength?

A respiratory therapist has just performed a pulmonary function study and notes that the results show obstructive lung disease with a decreased DLCO value. Which of the following is the best interpretation of these results?

A special indirect measurement procedure must be done to find which of the following?

Pulmonary function studies are done for all of the following measurements EXCEPT:

Total lung capacity is composed of all of the following EXCEPT:

A patient has restrictive lung disease. In response to this, which of the following are typically found? 1) Decreased lung compliance 2) Increased ventilatory rate 3) Increased tidal volume 4) Decreased ventilatory rate

Which of the following forced vital capacity test times should be interpreted as normal?

The respiratory therapist is performing a pulmonary function study on a patient who has periodic symptoms of asthma. The pulmonary function results are within normal limits. What further testing can the therapist recommend to aid in either confirming or negating the possible diagnosis?

In response to a restrictive lung disorder, which of the following is typically found? 1) Decreased lung compliance 2) Increased ventilatory rate 3) Decreased tidal volume 4) Decreased lung rigidity

The pulmonary diffusion capacity of the carbon monoxide test is used to:

Overall characteristics of pulmonary function testing results on a patient with obstructive lung disease include that the FEV1:

The FEF_25%-75% is used to evaluate:

Overall characteristics of pulmonary function testing results on a patient with obstructive lung disease include that the FEV₁: