Ace the CPFT Challenge 2025 – Breathe Easy with Pulmonary Success!

A decreased FEV1/FVC ratio indicates obstructive lung disease. In the context of pulmonary function tests, the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) measures how much air a person can forcibly exhale in one second, while the FVC (forced vital capacity) measures the total amount of air exhaled during the test. In obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the airway is narrowed, leading to a greater difficulty in expelling air rapidly. This results in a lower FEV1 compared to FVC, leading to a reduced ratio.

In contrast, a normal lung function would reflect both FEV1 and FVC being within the normal ranges, resulting in an appropriate FEV1/FVC ratio, typically greater than 70% in adults.

Restrictive lung diseases typically present with a reduction in both FEV1 and FVC, maintaining a normal or slightly increased FEV1/FVC ratio, thus distinguishing them from obstructive conditions. Acute respiratory distress is a broader category that may involve a variety of underlying issues, but again does not specifically correlate with a decreased FEV1/FVC ratio as a primary indicator.

Understanding these distinctions helps identify and