Interpretation of pulmonary function tests
Identify restrictive and obstructive pulmonary pathophysiology patterns and the appropriate therapies.
Identify specific pulmonary disease abnormalities based on pulmonary function test results
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Background
Interpreting pulmonary function tests can pose a significant challenge because the quality of the results is
largely dependent on patient effort and cooperation. When interpreting pulmonary function tests we must not
rely on the results alone. We must consider the patient’s history, physical examination and other studies.
Recognizing a pattern first will usually make it easier to determine a normal study from an obstructive or
restrictive result.
Prompt
Basic Spirometry Interpretation
Interpret the following spirometry results:
Problem 1 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 3.95 4.05 98
FEV1 (L) 3.16 3.24 98
FEV1/FVC % 80
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 2 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 2.80 4.05 69
FEV1 (L) 2.23 3.24 69
FEV1/FVC % 80
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 3 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 3.28 4.05 81
FEV1 (L) 1.94 3.24 60
FEV1/FVC % 59
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 4 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 3.04 4.05 75
FEV1 (L) 2.11 3.24 65
FEV1/FVC % 69
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 5 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 4.19 4.65 90
FEV1 (L) 2.93 3.85 76
FEV1/FVC % 66
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 6 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 2.79 4.65 60
FEV1 (L) 1.54 3.85 40
FEV1/FVC % 55
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 7 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 2.79 4.65 60
FEV1 (L) 2.31 3.85 60
FEV1/FVC % 83
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 8 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 3.86 4.65 83
FEV1 (L) 3.20 3.85 83
FEV1/FVC % 83
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 9 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 2.44 3.75 65
FEV1 (L) 2.07 3.19 65
FEV1/FVC % 85
Overall Interpretation:
Problem 10 Measured Predicted % predicted
FVC (L) 2.63 3.75 70
FEV1 (L) 1.34 3.19 42
FEV1/FVC % 51