DOT Certification Practice Exam

Which test measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled from the lungs?

1. FEV1

2. FVC

3. FEV/FVC

4. ABG

The correct answer is: FVC

The test that measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled from the lungs is the FVC, or Forced Vital Capacity. This test assesses the total amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after taking a deep breath. It is a key component in evaluating lung function and determines the capacity of the lungs to hold air. By measuring the volume of air, healthcare providers can gain insights into the patient's lung health, identifying conditions such as restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. Understanding the other options helps clarify the context: - FEV1 specifically measures the volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation, which is important for assessing airflow but does not reflect the total lung capacity. - FEV/FVC represents a ratio that can indicate how much air a person can exhale in one second compared to the total volume exhaled. While it is a useful metric in diagnosing conditions like asthma or COPD, it does not measure total volume itself. - ABG, or Arterial Blood Gas, evaluates the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and assesses the blood's acidity (pH level), but it does not pertain to the measurement of lung volume. Thus, FVC