RPFT case studies
RPFT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential is awarded by the NBRC to technologists who demonstrate mastery of the essential tasks required of pulmonary function technologists. The Pulmonary Function Technology (PFT) Examination is a single multiple-choice test with two cut scores: candidates who reach the low cut score earn the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential, and those who reach the high cut score earn the RPFT. The RPFT case studies are 5 cases and about 5,612 words.
1Pre-operative Spirometry in a Patient with New Chest Pain and Irregular Tachycardia
R., 71 years old, arrives for pre-operative spirometry before an elective inguinal hernia repair scheduled for tomorrow morning. During intake he mentions two episodes of substernal chest pressure at rest in the past 24 hours, each lasting about 10 minutes and resolving without nitroglycerin.
1,056 words, about 5 min2Failed Daily Syringe Verification Before a Full Clinic Day
At 07:40 on a Monday, before a clinic of five patients, the technologist verifies a flow-type spirometer with the laboratory's 3.00 L calibration syringe. Three consecutive injections read 2.87 L, 2.86 L, and 2.88 L.
1,050 words, about 5 min3Grading a Spirometry Session with an Unacceptable First Effort and Non-Reproducible FEV1
A 34-year-old woman referred for spirometry has performed three forced expiratory maneuvers. The technologist's notes read: Effort 1 - back-extrapolated volume (BEV) 0.24 L, FEV1 2.20 L, FVC 3.05 L, expiratory flow still 0.06 L/s when the technologist stopped the maneuver at 6 seconds.
1,026 words, about 5 min4Explaining a Low DLCO with Hyperinflation to a Referring Physician
A 62-year-old man with a 40-pack-year smoking history is referred for progressive exertional dyspnea. Testing is technically satisfactory and reproducible, and the numeric results are: post-bronchodilator FEV1 1.32 L (45% predicted, z = -4.1); FVC 2.68 L (68% predicted); FEV1/FVC 0.49 (LLN 0.66, z = -3.4); TLC by body plethysmography 6.90 L (122% predicted); RV 3.10 L (155% predicted); DLCO 8.9 mL/min/mmHg (52% predicted); alveolar volume 4.80 L (78% predicted); KCO 68% predicted.
1,122 words, about 6 min5Bedside Testing of a Patient with MRSA in a Shared Room
A 58-year-old inpatient with a chronic productive cough and a sputum culture positive for MRSA is ordered for bedside spirometry and DLCO before discharge. He is in a semiprivate room whose other bed is occupied by a transplant patient.
1,358 words, about 7 min