Kathy is taking 14 breaths per minute Her vital capacity is

Kathy is taking 14 breaths per minute. Her vital capacity is 3000 mL, her total lung capacity is 4000 mL, and her tidal volume is 450 mL per breath. Calculate the following and show equations: Kathy\'s total pulmonary ventilation (minute volume) Kathy\'s alveolar ventilation rate

Solution

Vital capacity= 3000 ml

Total lung capacity = 4000 ml

Tidal volume = 450 ml / breath (Vt)

Number of breaths in a minute (RR )= 14 breaths/ minute

1. Total pulmonary ventilation (minute volume)

Minute volume = Vt * respiratory rate

= (450 ml / breath) * (14 breaths / minute)

= 6300 ml/ minute

Dead space is corrected to be of approximately 150 ml for 450-500 ml of tidal volume.

Vd = 150 ml

2. Alveolar ventilation rate =

(Vt - Vd) * breaths per minute

= ( 450 - 150 ) * 14 breaths/minute

= (300 * 14)ml / min

= 4200 ml / min

Total pulmonary ventilation (minute volume) = 6300 ml / min

Alveolar ventilation rate = 4200 ml/ min