What can spirometer values help diagnose?

• A. Problems with cardiac output
• B. Problems with pulmonary ventilation
• C. Blood oxygenation levels
• D. Blood pressure regulation

Answer: (B)

Spirometry measures how air moves in and out of the lungs and the rate at which it can be moved, capturing ventilation mechanics through volumes and flow. This directly assesses pulmonary ventilation, helping identify patterns of obstruction (airflow limitation) or restriction (reduced lung volumes). It doesn’t directly measure how well blood is oxygenated, cardiac output, or blood pressure regulation, which require other tests like blood gases, echocardiography, or arterial monitoring. So spirometer values are best for diagnosing issues with pulmonary ventilation.