Welch Allyn PneumoCheck Operating Instructions Manual page 11

PEF
Peak Expiratory Flow, the highest rate of airflow (in liters/second)
during the FVC maneuver.
Once an acceptable FVC maneuver has been completed, the test
results can be compared to established norms and a course of action
determined. The norms are based on the height, age, race and sex
of the patient.
Lung disorders usually fall into one of two categories: obstructive
lung diseases or restrictive disorders.
Obstructive lung diseases are those that cause a reduction in airflow
rates or airflow limitation, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis,
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema.
Restrictive disorders are those that cause the lung volume to be
reduced, such as congestive heart failure with pulmonary edema,
pneumonia, pleural fibrosis, pneumoconiosis and gross obesity.
In general, it is possible to categorize a lung disorder into one of
these two groups and gauge its severity with a basic spirometry test,
but it is usually not possible to identify the specific disorder without
further information. The patient's respiratory history, work environ-
ment, response to various bronchodilators, and results from more
specific pulmonary tests may be needed to fully diagnose the
disorder.
NOTE: During FVC maneuvers in the normal operating mode, the
instrument assumes that air at body temperature and pressure, fully
saturated with water (BTPS) will be used, and a BTPS factor is
applied.
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