Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

Documenting demographic information when performing pulmonary function tests (PFTs) is crucial for ensuring accurate interpretation of results based on expected values. Each individual's pulmonary function can vary significantly based on demographics such as age, sex, height, and ethnicity. These parameters are essential in determining the reference values against which the test results will be compared.

For instance, lung function tends to decline with age, while height can influence lung capacity. Gender differences also play a role—men and women typically have different expected values for various lung function measures. Accurate demographic information allows healthcare providers to apply the correct reference standards tailored to each patient, leading to more precise evaluations of their respiratory health.

While it's true that patient history, insurance, and financial tracking are important in the overall healthcare process, they do not directly impact the clinical interpretation of PFT results as demographic information does. Hence, the ability to interpret PFT results accurately is fundamentally dependent on understanding the patient’s demographic background.