AACN ECCO Pulmonary Practice Exam 2025 - Free Pulmonary Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The significance of a peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement lies in its ability to assess the severity of airway obstruction. PEFR is a valuable tool used primarily in the management of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases. It measures how quickly a person can exhale air, which reflects the diameter of the airways and the degree of airflow obstruction.

In clinical practice, monitoring PEFR can help to evaluate how well a patient's lungs are functioning, especially during an asthma attack or in situations where airway compromise is suspected. Patients with restricted airflow due to conditions like asthma will typically show lower PEFR values, indicating more significant airway obstruction. Therefore, PEFR is important for determining when a patient may require intervention, such as the use of bronchodilators or other treatments targeted at improving airflow.

In contrast, other options relate to different aspects of lung function or pathology. While lung capacity can offer some insights into respiratory health, it does not specifically assess airflow obstruction like PEFR does. Similarly, CO2 retention is evaluated through different methods, such as arterial blood gas analysis, rather than through PEFR measurements. Lastly, while a lung infection can affect lung function, PEFR itself does not directly indicate the presence of infection; rather, it assesses