Final answer:
The patient's vital capacity (VC) is calculated by summing the tidal volume (TV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV). The patient's VC is 2400mL.
Step-by-step explanation:
The male patient presents with the following pulmonary volumes: tidal volume (TV) = 400mL, expiratory reserve volume (ERV) = 800mL, and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) = 1,200mL. To calculate the patient's vital capacity (VC), we sum up the tidal volume, expiratory reserve volume, and inspiratory reserve volume. The formula to determine the vital capacity is VC = TV + ERV + IRV.
Following this formula, we get:
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- VC = TV + ERV + IRV
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- VC = 400mL (TV) + 800mL (ERV) + 1200mL (IRV)
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- VC = 2400mL
Therefore, the patient's vital capacity is 2400mL.