Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

A patient's spirometric peak flow is significantly below normal. What should also be assessed?

1. Age and gender

2. Effort exerted during the test

3. Vital signs

4. Current medications

The correct answer is: Effort exerted during the test

In assessing a patient's spirometric peak flow, the effort exerted during the test is crucial as it directly impacts the accuracy and reliability of the results. Peak flow measurements rely on the patient's ability to exhale forcefully and consistently. If a patient does not exert maximal effort during the test, the readings may be artificially low, leading to potential misinterpretation of their respiratory status. Understanding the level of effort can assist in determining whether the low peak flow is due to true respiratory compromise or simply due to inadequate performance during the test. It's important to ensure that the patient is coached properly on how to perform the test, reminding them to take a deep breath and blow into the device as forcefully and completely as possible. While age and gender are important factors to consider in interpreting peak flow rates, they do not address the immediate issue of test execution. Similarly, evaluating vital signs or current medications provides useful context in managing a patient's overall health but does not specifically address the issue of test performance that could lead to inaccurate peak flow readings. Thus, focusing on the effort during the test is essential for obtaining valid and actionable spirometric data.