Directions for Use
Appendix C Patient Help Sheets
63
Adult Smokers Help Sheet
Name _________________________
What Your Lung Function Results Mean For Adult Smokers
You have just performed Spirometry, the basic test of how well your lungs are working.
The results indicate whether you have developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) due to smoking. COPD occurs in about one of every five smokers after more than
20 years of smoking. COPD slowly “eats away” at the lung's reserves. Affected smokers
are often unaware of lung disease until more than half of their lung function has been lost.
Spirometry testing can detect COPD many years before symptoms occur.
___ Your test result was within the normal range. You do not appear to be developing
COPD. However, as a smoker, you remain at high risk of developing a heart attack, stroke,
and/or lung cancer. Call the number at the bottom of this page for help with smoking
cessation.
___ Your test result shows mild airways obstruction, suggesting that you are a
“susceptible smoker” who already shows signs of early COPD. You are unable to blow
out air as quickly as normal (your FEV1/FVC is low). If you continue smoking, you will
eventually develop disabling lung disease (in about 10-20 years). If you are able to
successfully quit smoking sometime soon, your lung function may return to normal levels
and you will probably never develop symptoms of COPD. Call the number at the bottom of
this page if you would like information about local resources to help you quit smoking.
___ Your test result shows moderate-to-severe airways obstruction. You have COPD. If
you continue smoking, your lung disease will certainly get worse and you will eventually
become short of breath while walking, climbing stairs, or doing other exercise. It is very
important that you seek help to stop smoking. If you are able to successfully quit smoking
sometime soon, you will probably regain a little lung function within three months, and
the abnormally rapid decline in your lung function which you have experienced due to
smoking will be stopped. Call the number at the bottom of this page for information about
local resources to help you quit smoking.
___ Your test shows a low forced vital capacity (FVC). Your FVC is the total amount of air
that you exhaled, in liters (similar to quarts). Values below about 80% are abnormally low
and suggest that you are unable to inhale or exhale as much air as most healthy persons
of your age, height, gender, and race. Obesity may be one of the causes of a mildly
decreased FVC, and pneumonia is another. Consider asking your physician to review this
report at some time during the next couple of months.
Your result: ______________ FEV1 % predicted
For more information contact:
____________________
Date
Summary of Contents for CP 200
Page 1: ...CP 200 Spirometry Option Directions for Use ...
Page 34: ...30 Chapter 3 Calibrating the Spirometer Welch Allyn CP 200 Spirometry Option ...
Page 52: ...48 Chapter 4 Performing Spirometry Tests Welch Allyn CP 200 Spirometry Option ...
Page 53: ...49 5 Troubleshooting Problem Solving Suggestions 50 Limited Warranty 51 Service Policy 51 ...
Page 56: ...52 Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Welch Allyn CP 200 Spirometry Option ...
Page 80: ...76 Appendix D Predictive Norms etc Welch Allyn CP 200 Spirometry Option ...
Page 91: ......