Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

What adjustment can be made during a spirometry test to ensure valid results?

1. Using age-adjusted metrics

2. Allowing the patient to take breaks

3. Performing with a nose clip

4. Testing in a controlled environment

The correct answer is: Performing with a nose clip

One critical adjustment that can be made during a spirometry test to ensure valid results is the use of a nose clip. A nose clip helps prevent the patient from breathing through the nose, which can alter the airflow measurements taken during the test. The spirometry test is designed to measure the volume and speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled; if the patient breathes through their nose instead of their mouth, it may lead to inaccurate readings and misinterpretation of lung function. The clip encourages the patient to use their mouth solely for breathing, ensuring that the test results reflect the true pulmonary function of the individual. While other factors such as age-adjusted metrics, allowing breaks, and testing in a controlled environment may be important in different contexts, they do not directly impact the fundamental mechanics of how air is measured during the spirometry itself like the nose clip does. Using age-adjusted metrics helps in interpreting the results based on demographic factors, but it does not directly impact the immediate validity of the measurements obtained during the test. Likewise, allowing breaks may help the patient manage fatigue but might disrupt the necessary continuous measurement of airflow that the test requires. Testing in a controlled environment is essential for minimizing external variables, but without the proper technique in