Vital capacity is the greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath
It shows a global measurement of the patient's ventilatory ability, which takes into account inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength as well as pulmonary compliance
By determining the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled, we can gain valuable information that gives clues about how the lungs are functioning, both initially, and how they may change over time. We compare your measurement to what would be predicted based on your age, your height, and your weight
What is it for
It can help make a diagnosis of underlying lung disease
Helps determine the severity of respiratory muscle involvement in neuromuscular disease
Guides treatment decisions in Guillain–Barré syndrome and myasthenic crisis
Usage
Assemble device
Ask patient to take in the deepest breath they can, then blow as hard as they can into the VC device