Pulmonary function test interpretation

Specialties Pulmonary

Published

I have always had a problem with pulmonary function tests. Help me interpret these findings PEF> 80%, FEV1/FVC >75%.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It means their peak expiratory flow >80% of predicted for age/size gender (hard strong exhalation) and their forced vital capacity/1st expiratory volume is >75% of predicted. Generally this is a result within normal limits depending on patient, age, history etc. excellent for an elderly COPD. Very good for an asthmatic teen athlete well controlled asthma

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Let me google that for you. My position requires instant interpretation of lab values, differential diagnoses, and imaging studies.

I don't ask AN first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a 40 something year old with asthma.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did not ask ok AN right away and I prefer evidence based articles over google to find my answers. I did read several articles but I also thought it would not hurt to ask an opinion of someone here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - I think you missed the point. If you had offered some of your own opinions of the results or expressed exactly what was confusing, responses would be more forthcoming.

This truly sounds like HOMEWORK.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I have a 40 something year old with asthma.

Your child? Your patient? Pulmonologists interpret pulmonary function tests not nurses

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Thread has been moved to our Pulmonary forum with the goal of amassing more responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The reality is, each practitioner looks for different things in PFT's, depending on what their role in the care of the patient is.

I think there are two basic categories of information derived from PFT's.

The first is immediate care. How will a patient do intra operatively and immediately post operatively given his PFT's?

How well will he be able to get out of bed and walk down the hallway? How much PT will he tolerate this morning?

We're assessing exercise tolerance, functional lung volume and gas diffusion across lung tissue. This gives us an idea of what we can reasonably expect from the patient during our care for him.

For that I'm looking at the DLCO and

FEV 1\FVC. The values are pretty self explanatory. The lower they are, the less tolerant of stress the patient is.

Now the second category is for coming up with a long term strategy of care, which the pulmonologist or whomever looks more in depth at most or all of the results. Are bronchodilators needed? Home O2? A lung transplant?

My 0.02

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment