Question

Looking at the lab data you collected during the pulmonary function tests, which do you think is a better predictor of a patients’ diagnosis: lung volumes or flow volume loops? Explain. (2 points. Hint: think of how characteristics like age, weight, and gender can affect lung volume)

Answer 1

It's a the volume loop. We know that lung volumes varies among individuals. It may change with age ,sex etc. With age the muscles in the lungs weakens and the tidal volume decreases. In the case of sex males have more lung volume than females. With weight also the lung volumes changes. So more than lung volumes we can think of volume loops.

Volume loop is done by plotting inspiratory and expiratory flow anaginst the volume. This doesn't change much with the age and other factors. The change in this value can be used to find whether there is any obstruction in the airway. Mainly obstruction in the upper Airway can be found by this.