Basics of PFT
"PFT" stands for....
Pulmonary Function Testing
Name 1 lung disease that a PFT can help diagnose
Asthma
COPD
What device is used to measure how much air a person can exhale quickly?
Peak flow meter
What common symptom involves difficulty breathing?
Shortness of breath
What is the term for the total amount of air the lungs can hold?
Total Lung Capacity (TLC)
Which organ does a PFT evaluate?
The lungs
What chronic disease causes the airways to become inflamed & narrowed?
Asthma
Name the machine used in spirometry tests.
Spirometer
T/F
Air pollution can impact lung health.
True
Which gas is commonly used to measure diffusion capacity in a PFT?
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
What is the primary purpose of PFT?
Measure how well the lungs are working
Which lung condition destroys the alveoli & is common among smokers?
Emphysema
What is the term for the amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second?
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
What lifestyle habit is the leading cause of COPD?
Smoking
What does a low diffusion capacity (DLCO) indicate?
Impaired gas exchange (e.g., from pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema)
T/F
PFTs are ONLY done in hospitals
FALSE
PFTs can also be done in clinics & testing centers
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
What does a low FEV1 result usually indicate?
Obstructed airways (e.g., asthma, COPD)
Which symptom would likely indicate the need for a PFT?
Persistent coughing or wheezing
What type of lung disease shows normal airflow but reduced lung volumes?
Restrictive lung disease
What 2 key aspects of lung function do most PFT measure?
Airflow & lung volume
What type of disease causes the lungs to become stiff, leading to reduced lung capacity?
Restrictive Lung diseases
T/F
smoking decreases COHb
False
Smoking INCREASES COHb = Low DLCO
Name a workplace hazard that can cause lung problems over time.
Exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals (like asbestos or silica)
Which PFT parameter is used to distinguish between obstructive & restrictive diseases? How?
FEV1/FVC ratio
> 0.70 = restrictive or normal
< 0.70 = obstructive