Respiratory Physiology and Spirometry Quiz

Respiratory System

• To access the Spirogram, you need to open a Pulmonary Function Testing program.
• The formula for calculating Pulmonary Ventilation (VE) is VE = TV x f, where TV is tidal volume and f is breathing frequency.
• The unit of measurement for Pulmonary Ventilation (VE) is liters per minute (L/min).
• The formula for calculating Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) is FEV1 = volume of air exhaled in the first second of forced expiration.
• The normal range for the percentage of vital capacity expired in 1 second (FEV1.0/FVC ratio) is 80-85%.

Regulation of Breathing

• Chemoreceptors monitor the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood to regulate breathing.
• Central chemoreceptors are located in the medulla oblongata.
• During hyperventilation, PO2 levels increase and PCO2 levels decrease.
• Hyperventilation shortens breath holding time.

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

• Figure number 12 shows Respiratory Volumes and Capacities.
• Compliance is measured by the volume of Residual Volume (RV).
• The total amount of air a person can exchange through forced breathing is represented by the Vital Capacity (VC).
• The equation for pulmonary ventilation is VE = TV x f, where TV is tidal volume and f is breathing frequency.
• The typical amount of pulmonary ventilation is 5000 mL/minute.
• The volume of air left in the lungs after the most forceful expiration is the Residual Volume (RV).
• The equation for inspiratory capacity is IC = TLC - FRC, where IC is inspiratory capacity, TLC is total lung capacity, and FRC is functional residual capacity.
• The volume left in the lungs after a quiet expiration is the Functional Residual Capacity (FRC).
• The volume that can be forcibly inhaled beyond the tidal volume is the Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV).
• The equation for vital capacity is VC = IRV + TV + ERV, where VC is vital capacity, IRV is inspiratory reserve volume, TV is tidal volume, and ERV is expiratory reserve volume.
• The maximum volume of air that the lungs can hold is the Total Lung Capacity (TLC).