pulmonary function testing is a set of non-invasive tests that are used to measure
how well a patient's lungs are working this is important in the diagnosis and treatment
of those with respiratory diseases in order to perform the test and obtain accurate results it is
important to use the right types of pft equipment and machines there are several different types of
devices which is what we are going to discuss in this video so if you're ready let's get into it
as previously mentioned pft equipment is made up of a number of devices that are used to
measure different aspects of lung function this can include how well the lungs take in
and expel air how efficiently they transfer oxygen to the blood and how much air the lungs can hold
therefore pfts measure lung volumes capacities and the amount of gas exchange or lack thereof
the results that are obtained can help respiratory therapists and physicians diagnose and treat their
patients so now let's talk about the types there are many different types of pft equipment that are
used in the various types of pulmonary function tests including a spirometer peak flow meter
body plastismograph pulmonary gas analyzer gas conditioning device blood gas analyzer
silverman pneumo tachometer and a pulse oximeter each device is used to measure different aspects
of a patient's lung function so now let's talk a little more about each type a spirometer is
a device that measures the volume and speed of air that a patient can inhale and exhale
it is helpful in diagnosing both obstructive and restrictive lung diseases additionally
it is helpful in assessing if a medication is working in a patient with constricted airways
a peak flow meter is a handheld device that measures the maximum speed of air that can be
exhaled when a patient blows out as hard and fast as they can it is used to assess if a patient's
asthma is under control and can also be used to measure the effectiveness of certain medications
a body partismograph is a large box in which the patient enters that can measure the
amount of air that is inhaled and the volume that remains in the lungs after exhalation
this is one of the only pft devices that is capable of measuring a patient's residual volume
a pulmonary gas analyzer is a machine that is used to measure the concentration of oxygen
and carbon dioxide in a patient's exhaled breath this information can be used to assess how well
the lungs are exchanging gases this is important because if too much co2 accumulates in the blood
it can lead to respiratory failure and serious health complications additionally if the oxygen
concentration is decreased and hypoxemia is present it is also problematic a gas conditioning
device is used to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air that is being delivered to
the patient during a pulmonary function test this is important because changes in temperature
and humidity can affect the results of the test a blood gas analyzer is a machine that measures the
partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in a patient's blood this information can be used to
assess how well the lungs are exchanging gases and if there is too much co2 accumulated in the blood
a silverman pneumotachometer is a device that is used to measure the flow rate of gases during
breathing it uses multiple screens to act as a resistive element while helping ensure laminar
flow a pulse oximeter is a device that measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood
this is helpful in assessing how well the lungs are transferring oxygen to the blood
and body tissues hypoxemia is a condition in which the oxygen saturation is below normal
using a pulse oximeter during a pulmonary function test helps ensure that the patient's oxygen
saturation stays within the acceptable range spirometry is the most common type of pulmonary
function test and works by measuring a patient's breathing patterns and lung functionality
it uses a spirometer which is a diagnostic device that measures the volume
and speed of air flow during a breathing cycle spirometry is used to diagnose lung conditions
such as copd restrictive lung diseases and other disorders that affect lung function
this test is also used to assess how well a medication is working in patients with asthma
pulmonary function testing also involves the measurement of a patient's lung volumes
this includes their tidal volume inspiratory reserve volume expiratory reserve volume and
residual volume various techniques can be used to measure lung volumes including nitrogen washout
helium dilution and body plethysmography i should also mention the forced vital capacity maneuver
forced vital capacity is a common pulmonary function test that measures the total volume
of air that can be rapidly and forcefully exhaled after a maximum inspiration this
test is helpful in determining if that patient has an obstructive or restrictive lung condition
one important thing to remember is that the maneuver is highly effort dependent and requires
continuous coaching from the respiratory therapist in order to achieve reliable results if you
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i think you will enjoy and just a quick reminder we are not doctors this video is for informational
purposes only thank you so much for watching have a blessed day and as always really easy my friend