RPFT Spirometry Technique & Maneuver Acceptability Flashcards

According to ATS/ERS criteria, what is the minimum exhalation duration required for an acceptable FVC maneuver in adults?

Answer: At least 6 seconds

ATS/ERS guidelines require adults to exhale for a minimum of 6 seconds (or until a plateau is reached) to ensure complete emptying and an accurate FVC.

Which criterion defines an acceptable spirometry start of test for an FVC maneuver?

Answer: Extrapolated volume less than 5% of FVC or 0.150 L, whichever is greater

An acceptable start requires back-extrapolated volume (BEV) to be less than 5% of FVC or 150 mL, whichever is greater, confirming a sharp, maximal effort from the start.

What is the repeatability criterion for FVC when selecting the best two acceptable maneuvers?

Answer: The two largest FVC values must agree within 150 mL

ATS/ERS 2019 guidelines require the two highest acceptable FVC values to be within 150 mL to ensure reproducibility.

A patient coughs forcefully during the first second of an FVC maneuver. How should the RPFT grade this trial?

Answer: Unacceptable — cough during the first second may falsely alter FEV1

Coughing in the first second creates artifactual flow spikes that distort FEV1, making the maneuver unacceptable per ATS/ERS standards.

Which flow-volume loop feature most strongly suggests a patient's effort was submaximal at the start of a forced expiratory maneuver?

Answer: Rounded, blunted peak expiratory flow rather than a sharp spike

A rounded rather than sharp PEF spike on the flow-volume loop indicates the patient did not generate a maximal, abrupt initial effort.

How many acceptable FVC maneuvers must be obtained before testing can be considered complete?

Answer: A minimum of three acceptable maneuvers

ATS/ERS guidelines require at least three acceptable maneuvers, with the two best values meeting repeatability criteria, to ensure reliable results.