During an exercise study, a pulmonary function technologist notices the systolic blood pressure increased to 270 mm Hg using an automated cuff. Which of the following should the technologist do?

A. Terminate the test and administer oxygen by nasal cannula.

B. Continue the test and recheck blood pressure using manual cuff method.

C. Terminate the test at this time and recheck blood pressure.

D. Continue the test if within 5 minutes of completion.

The desiccant column on an infrared CO2 analyzer is pink. The readings obtained from this analyzer would result in

A. A decreased CO2

B. An increased CO2

C. An unstable reading

D. No effect on CO2

A patient has just finished a 6-minute walk test during which she stopped and rested by leaning against a wall several times, while catching her breath. Which of the following should a pulmonary function technologist do?

A. Document the total distance the patient covered in 6 minutes.

B. Repeat the test with supplemental oxygen after the patient is fully rested.

C. Subtract the time spent at rest and report the distance walked during the time spent walking.

D. Report that the patient was unable to complete a standard 6-minute walk test.

The following results were obtained from spirometry before and after a bronchodilator administration:

Which of the following is the correct interpretation of these data?

A. Restrictive pattern with positive bronchodilator response

B. Restrictive pattern with no bronchodilator response

C. Obstructive pattern with positive bronchodilator response

D. Obstructive pattern with no bronchodilator response

Which of the following thresholds for a clinically significant change in lung function from the beginning to the end of a methacholine challenge test is significant?

A. An increase of more than 20% in airway resistance

B. A decline of more than 30% in FEF25-75%

C. A decline of more than 20% in FEV1

D. A decline of more than 20% in inspiratory capacity

A 54-year-old male with a normal ECG at rest develops dyspnea during an exercise (stress) test, and the following ECG pattern is noted at 25 watts:

25 mm/sec A pulmonary function technologist should

A. Continue the test until the subject reaches target heart rate.

B. Stop the test immediately; there is evidence of heart block.

C. Continue the test and obtain an arterial blood sample.

D. Stop the test immediately; there is evidence of ischemia.

A pulmonary function technologist is reviewing an asthma action plan. The patient takes a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist twice daily. The patient's personal best peak flow is 600 L/min. Which of the following instructions should be given to the patient when the peak flow drops to 500 L/min?

A. Add montelukast (Singular).

B. Continue the current regimen.

C. Go to the emergency department.

D. Double the steroid dose.

Using a peak flowmeter, a pulmonary function technologist obtains the following:

The technologist should

A. Conclude that bronchodilatation has occurred.

B. Report the average of the two best efforts.

C. Perform at least one more peak flow trial.

D. Report the patient's peak flow as 750 L/min.

A patient's bronchial provocation test was interpreted as positive for hyperreactive airways. Considering changes from a pre-challenge baseline, all of the following are consistent with this interpretation EXCEPT a

A. 25% decrease in Raw.

B. 25% decrease in FEFmax.

C. 25% increase in FRC.

D. 25% decrease in FEF25-75%.

A 54-year-old male who smokes presents to the pulmonary laboratory for chronic cough and dyspnea on exertion. PFT and blood gas results show the following:

Which of the following should the pulmonary function technologist recommend?

A. DLco measurement

B. Oxygen therapy with exercise

C. Trial of varenicline (Chantix)

D. Lung volume measurement