Nursing Notes: Quick Review of Lung Volumes, Capacities and Ventilation Formulas
The lung volumes that can be measured using a spirometer include tidal volume (TV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV).
Residual volume (RV) is a lung volume representing the amount of air left in the lungs after a forced exhalation; this volume cannot be measured, only calculated.
The lung capacities that can be calculated include vital capacity (ERV+TV+IRV), inspiratory capacity (TV+IRV), functional residual capacity (ERV+RV), and total lung capacity (RV+ERV+TV+IRV).
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