RPFT study guide
RPFT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
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 study guide has 5 sections and about 1,606 words.
01Patient Assessment and Preparation
Pre-test assessment decides whether a test is safe, whether results will be valid, and which reference values apply. Know the indications (dyspnea, cough, known or suspected asthma, COPD, or interstitial disease, pre-operative evaluation, disability evaluation, monitoring therapy) and the absolute contraindications to spirometry: recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, recent pneumothorax, active hemoptysis, recent thoracic, abdominal, or ocular surgery, cerebral aneurysm, and acute illness such as vomiting.
319 words, about 2 min02Equipment Quality Control and Calibration
Daily quality control for a spirometer is volume verification with a 3-L calibration syringe, not true calibration of the sensor. Push the syringe at three flows (low, medium, high) and require each delivered volume to be within 3 percent or 0.05 L of 3.00 L.
315 words, about 2 min03Pulmonary Function Testing Procedures
Know the acceptability criteria: free of artifact, no cough in the first second, no glottic closure or variable effort, and a satisfactory end of test, either a plateau of at least 1 second with less than 25 mL change or a forced expiratory time of at least 6 seconds, or the patient cannot continue. Back-extrapolated volume should be under 150 mL or 5 percent of FVC, whichever is greater.
338 words, about 2 min04Test Interpretation and Reporting
Modern interpretation uses GLI-2012 reference equations and the lower limit of normal, the fifth percentile or roughly z = -1.645, rather than a fixed FEV1/FVC of 0.70, which overdiagnoses obstruction in older adults and underdiagnoses it in younger ones. Report z-scores alongside percent predicted, because percent predicted varies with age, sex, height, and ethnicity.
331 words, about 2 min05Safety and Infection Control
Every patient is a potential source of bloodborne and airborne pathogens. Perform hand hygiene before and after contact, wear gloves when handling mouthpieces, nasal clips, or blood-contaminated items, and use eye and face protection when splash is possible.
303 words, about 2 min