Below is a summary of Pam’s electronic health record while she is in the hospital. As a technologist, you will perform and collect test results to help identify Pam’s condition. Answer the following questions and be prepared to discuss the responses with the rest of Pam’s healthcare team.

1. Review Pam’s VPE: Pam’s physician orders a pulmonary plethysmography and diffusion capacity (DLCO) test. Using VPE, match the definition to the test.
   

   ____ Diffusion capacity	A. Determines how much air the lungs can hold. After breathing into a mouthpiece, changes in pressure and the amount of air in the room and against the mouthpiece, determines the amount of air in the lungs.
   ____ Pulmonary plethysmography	B. Measures the body’s ability to exchange oxygen and carbon monoxide between the blood and lungs. After inhaling a small amount of carbon monoxide, a blood sample is taken to measure absorption by the lungs.



2. Review Pam’s Outpatient EHR: What does Pam’s plethysmography test results indicate?
   

   A. Emphysema

   B. Asthma

   C. Lung cancer

   D. Bronchitis



3. Review Pam’s VPE: An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is performed to: (Select all that apply)
   

   A. Measure carbon dioxide in the blood

   B. Check how well the lungs move oxygen into the blood

   C. Measure lung air capacity

   D. Check how well the lungs move carbon dioxide from the blood

   E. Measure the temperature of air exhaled from the lungs



4. Review Pam’s VPE: What does Pam’s arterial blood gas (ABG) draw results indicate?
   

   A. She may have heart disease

   B. She may have kidney disease

   C. She may have lung disease

   D. Both B and C



5. Review Pam’s VPE: A sputum analysis has also been ordered for Pam. What is sputum?
   

   A. Saliva

   B. Mucus

   C. Blood

   D. Tears



6. Review Pam’s VPE: TRUE or FALSE: A sputum culture will show if a bacterial infection is present.
   


7. Internet Research: You prepare Pam for the chest X-ray that was ordered. A chest x-ray can show: (Select all that apply)
   

   A. Condition of the lungs

   B. Exact location of a problem in the chest

   C. Size and outline of the heart

   D. Blood clots in the lungs

   E. Blood vessels

   F. Fluid surrounding the lungs

   G. Calcium deposits