During a helium dilution test for functional residual capacity, you notice that it takes 19 min for equilibration between the gas concentrations in the spirometer and the patient's lungs. Based on this information, what can you conclude?
a. The patient has restrictive lung disease.
b. The spirometer is leaking helium.
c. The patient has obstructive lung disease.
d. Insufficient oxygen was added to the system.
ANS: C
Patients with obstructive lung disease may require up to 20 min to equilibrate because of slow gas mixing in the lungs.
Health Professions
You might also like to view...
A pain syndrome linked with painful muscle spasms around the anal area is
A) urethral syndrome B) interstitial cystitis C) proctalgia fugax D) obturator internus syndrome
Health Professions
The process of losing heat through direct contact is called:
A. radiation B. convection C. conduction D. evaporation
Health Professions