Pulmonary Ventilation: Volumes, Flows, Dead Space and Preoxygenation

About this activity

This session will cover the measurement and clinical importance of lung volumes, including functional residual capacity and dead space. Information regarding the performance and interpretation of flow-volume loops is also included. Objectives By the end of this session you will be able to: • Identify the lung volumes as seen on a spirometry trace • Describe the various methods of measuring lung volumes, including spirometers, body plethysmography, helium dilution and nitrogen washout • List the four key functions of the functional residual capacity • List the factors that affect the functional residual capacity