CPFT case studies
CPFT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential is awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to candidates who sit for the Pulmonary Function Technology (PFT) Examination and reach its lower cut score. The same examination is used for two credentials: reaching the low cut score earns the CPFT, while reaching the high cut score earns the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT). The examination objectively measures the essential tasks required of pulmonary function technologists, so it is intended for respiratory therapists, pulmonary function technologists, and others who perform and interpret lung function testing and want their specialized skills recognized by employers, colleagues, and patients. The exam contains 115 multiple-choice items (100 scored and 15 pretest) and allows two hours of testing time; content is described in the PFT Detailed Content Outline effective October 2022, which candidates should use to organize study. The CPFT case studies are 5 cases and about 3,544 words.
1Bedside Spirometry Two Days After Open Abdominal Surgery
A 70-year-old man is 2 days out from open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The surgical team wants bedside spirometry "to track his lungs" because he is febrile with coarse crackles at both bases.
748 words, about 4 min2Flow-Dependent Volume Calibration Failure Before a Pediatric Study
It is 07:40 in a hospital pulmonary function lab. Before the first patient, you perform the daily volume calibration check with the lab's 3-L syringe.
709 words, about 4 min3Inspiratory Plateau on the Flow-Volume Loop in a Young Woman
A 24-year-old woman is referred with 3 months of exertional breathlessness and an audible inspiratory "wheeze" that worsens with exercise and singing and resolves on its own. Chest radiograph and blood count are normal; she has never smoked.
656 words, about 3 min4Low DLCO in a Patient With Anemia and a Misread Request
A 58-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis has 4 months of progressive dyspnea and dry cough. HRCT shows bilateral peripheral reticulation with honeycombing.
676 words, about 3 min5Saturation Gap During Topical-Anesthetic Bronchoscopy
A 62-year-old man is 40 minutes into a bronchoscopy under topical anesthesia with benzocaine spray when he becomes dusky and agitated. He is on 15 L/min by non-rebreather mask.
755 words, about 4 min