Question

Abigail Lently is a 51-year-old patient who has recently been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She has come in for a follow-up spirometry test after being placed on her maintenance medications. She admits that she has had a very tough time with smoking cessation. Although she has cut back on the number of cigarettes smoked per day, she has not quit altogether.

1. Shandra, RMA, is working with Ms. Lently during her appointment today. She says to Shandra, “I don’t understand why I am having this test again. I didn’t even understand why I had to have it in the first place when I was diagnosed. What does this test do?” How should Shandra respond?
2. What type of data will Shandra need to enter into the computerized spirometry machine that is used by Pearson Physicians Group? Why will she need to enter these data?
3. After the spirometry test is complete, Dr. Penningworth looks over the results and examines Ms. Lently. He orders blood gas levels to be drawn. These blood tests aren’t drawn in the office, and the patient must go to an outside laboratory. Ms. Lently seems upset by the inconvenience of having to go to the lab to have the blood work done. She asks Shandra, “Why does he want me to do even more testing? What will this blood test show?” How should Shandra respond?

Answer 1

Shandra shoul first listen to Ms Lently and explain her the following:

Spirometry is a test used to assess how well your lung work by measuring how much air you inhale, how much you exhale and how quickly you exhale. So the test is repeated to see if there is any improvement since your last test.

Data to be entered include a unique personal identifier,age,height,race,best FEV1(Forced expiratory volume in 1 second) and FVC(Forced vital capacity) test values and date of test. These are the basic data required for the spirometer to accomplish precision, specificity and compare help monitoring results, to monitor intervention and thus helping the healthcare providers.

Blood gas test is required by the doctor as it determines how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.

The test shows PaO₂ , PaCO₂, pH and oxygen saturation (SaO₂). It determines the efficiencyy of the lungs and how well oxygen is transported in blood. It also helps in ruling out alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and many other conditions.