Question

What are the three things about the patient used in interpreting the PFT values?

A) Age, gender, weight
B) Smoking history, respiratory rate, lung capacity
C) Vital signs, medical history, current medications
D) Height, race, previous lung diseases

Answer 1

Interpreting PFT values involves considering the patient's height, race, and previous lung diseases. Measurements like FEV1 and FVC obtained from spirometry are compared to these factors to diagnose conditions like asthma and fibrosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three things about the patient used in interpreting the PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) values are height, race, and previous lung diseases. These factors are crucial in providing a baseline to determine if a patient's lung function is within the expected range for someone of a similar demographic profile. During spirometry, a key measurement is taken: the forced expiratory volume (FEV1), signifying how much air one can force out of the lungs in one second. Another key measurement is the forced vital capacity (FVC), which is the total amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled. The FEV1/FVC ratio is then used to diagnose various lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and fibrosis. For example, a high FEV1/FVC ratio may indicate lung fibrosis, while a low ratio may suggest asthma.