Before bronchodilator studies, inhaled b-adrenergic agents should be withheld for how long?
A. 0.5 to 1.5 hours unless corticosteroids are being used
B. 4 to 12 hours for regular or long-acting preparations
C. 24 hours for most inhalers
D. 24 to 48 hours
B. 4 to 12 hours for regular or long-acting preparations
A subject referred for pulmonary function tests because of shortness of breath has an FEV1% of 82%. This finding is suggestive of:
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease
C. Normal lung function
D. Upper airway abnormality
C. Normal lung function
Which answer is consistent with the flow-volume curve shown?
Reference Picture A
A. Normal forced expiratory flow pattern
B. Variable intrathoracic obstruction
C. Airway obstruction
D. Fixed extrathoracic obstruction
C. Airway obstruction
Which of the following DLCO methods is deemed to provide the most accurate measurement of diffusion?
A. DLCOrb
B. Membrane diffusing capacity
C. DLCOsb
D. DLCOib
A. DLCOrb
A subject performing a methacholine challenge test has the following reproducible results:
Reference Chart B
The technologist should do which of the following?
A. Repeat methacholine 0.25 mg/ml dose.
B. Administer methacholine 1.0 mg/ml.
C. Give 10 breaths of the next dose.
D. Stop—the test is positive.
D. Stop—the test is positive.
A 17-year-old patient with asthma performs three spirometry trials:
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
FVC (L BTPS) 3.49 3.44 3.30
FEV1 (L BTPS) 2.93 2.91 2.88
The pulmonary function technologist should do which of the following?
A. Report the values from Trial 3.
B. Average the data from Trials 2 and 3.
C. Report the values from Trial 1.
D. Perform at least one more maneuver.
A. Report the values from Trial 3
The following PFT values were obtained from a 26-year-old male patient who is 6’5” tall and weighs 90 kg (198 lb). Which of the following PFT values is erroneous?
TLC 7.0 L
VC 5.0 L
ERV 2.0L
FRC 1.5L
RV 2.0L
A. RV
B. FRC
C. ERV
D. VC
B. FRC
A patient is suspected of having an upper airway obstruction. Which of the following tests should a respiratory therapist recommend to detect this abnormality?
A. FEF 25-75%
B. Nitrogen Washout
C. RV/TLC
D. Flow-Volume Loop
D. Flow-Volume Loop
A nonsmoking subject performs two DLCOsb maneuvers, and the following results are obtained:
Test 1 21.3 ml CO/min/mm Hg
Test 2 18.5 ml CO/min/mm Hg
Which of the following is appropriate?
A. Reporting the largest value as the DLCO
B. Reporting the average of the two values
C. Performing an additional maneuver
D. Correcting the value from Test 2 for COHb
C. Performing an additional maneuver
A subject performing a methacholine challenge test has the following reproducible results:
Reference Chart D
The technologist should do which of the following?
A. Quadruple the dose of methacholine.
A subject has spirometry repeated before and after inhaled bronchodilators. The following data are obtained:
Reference Chart A
Which of the following statements best describes these findings?
A. There is obstruction with significant response to bronchodilators.
B. There is obstruction without significant change after bronchodilators.
C. There is a paradoxical response to bronchodilators.
D. Spirometry is within normal limits.
A. There is obstruction with significant response to bronchodilators.
The main indication for the measurement of lung volumes is to do which of the following?
A. Diagnose or assess the severity of restriction.
B. Evaluate the severity of pulmonary hypertension.
C. Determine the level of cardiopulmonary fitness.
D. Assess the risk of abdominal surgical procedures.
A. Diagnose or assess the severity of restriction.
1. Which answer is consistent with the following three superimposed flow-volume loops?
Reference Picture B
A. Normal airway function
B. Small airway obstruction
C. Variable intrathoracic restriction
D. Fixed extrathoracic obstruction
D. Fixed extrathoracic obstruction
In which of the following disorders would a reduction in DLCO be expected (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)?
1. Sarcoidosis
2. Scleroderma
3. Polycythemia
4. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
1, 2, and 4
What does the acronym PC20 represent?
The dose that yields a 20% decline in FEV1
The Jones method of timing the breath hold for DLCOsb measures the interval from _____ of alveolar sampling.
A. Beginning of inspiration to beginning
B. 0.3 units of inspiratory time to the middle
C. 0.5 units of inspiratory time to the middle
D. Beginning of breath hold to the end
B. 0.3 units of inspiratory time to the middle
1. The following data were obtained while performing a spirometry test on a 43-year-old patient.
Reference Chart C
What should the technologist do next?
A. Perform another trial.
B. Report the FVC and FEV1 from Trial 3.
C. Report the FVC and FEV1 from Trial 2.
D. Report the FVC from Trial 3 and the FEV1 from Trial 2.
A. Perform another trial.
On what law is the pressure-based body plethysmograph based?
Boyle's Law
Three liters of air are injected into a spirometer from a certified-volume standard syringe. The measured value is 2.6 L. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist conclude?
A. The plunger was pushed too slowly
B. Spirometer is ready for patient testing
C. The time scale was incorrectly calibrated
D. Calibration is outside the acceptable range
D. Calibration is outside the acceptable range
Which of the following can be used to calculate inspiratory capacity?
A. VC – RV
B. TLC – FRC
C. ERV + VT
D. IRV + RV
B. TLC – FRC
The following PFT values were obtained from a 26-year-old male patient. Based on these values, what is the TLC?
VC 5.0 L
IC 3.50 L
ERV 1.50L
FRC 2.50L
RV 1.00L
6.0 L
The following pulmonary function results are obtained for a patient:
Predicted Observed % Predicted
FVC 5.90 3.40 57.6
FEV1 4.00 0.50 12.5
FEV1/FVC 70 14
A respiratory therapist should recommend a treatment plan for
A. Severe obstructive lung disease
B. Severe restrictive lung disease
C. Mild obstructive lung disease
D. Mild restrictive lung disease
A. Severe obstructive lung disease
A 40-year-old female is referred for pulmonary function testing for shortness of breath. Results reveal a reduction in all lung volumes and a normal diffusion. Which of the following tests should be ordered next to help assess the etiology of the above findings?
B. spirometry with bronchodilator
C. 6-minute walk
D. methacholine challenge
A. MIP/MEP
The average of which of the following DLCO results from a test session on a 30-year-old male should be reported?
A. 25.30 and 27.35
B. 22.10 and 25.30
C. 21.82 and 25.30
D. 19.75 and 23.10
A. 25.30 and 27.35
What is the maximum error allowed by ATS/ERS recommendations when calibrating a spirometer with a 3-liter syringe?
A. 60 mL
B. 90 mL
C. 105 mL
D. 120 mL
C. 105 mL