Which measure describes the volume moved per minute?

Which measure describes the volume moved per minute?

• A. Forced expiratory volume.
• B. Total minute volume.
• C. Inspiratory reserve volume.
• D. Residual volume.

Answer: (B)

Volume moved per minute is minute ventilation, also called total minute volume. It tells you how much air flows into and out of the lungs each minute, and it’s calculated by multiplying the air per breath (tidal volume) by how many breaths occur per minute (respiratory rate). For example, about 0.5 L per breath at 12 breaths per minute gives roughly 6 L/min of minute ventilation. This differs from forced expiratory volume, which measures air expelled during a specific short effort, and from inspiratory reserve volume or residual volume, which are static lung volumes, not rates.

Volume moved per minute is minute ventilation, also called total minute volume. It tells you how much air flows into and out of the lungs each minute, and it’s calculated by multiplying the air per breath (tidal volume) by how many breaths occur per minute (respiratory rate). For example, about 0.5 L per breath at 12 breaths per minute gives roughly 6 L/min of minute ventilation. This differs from forced expiratory volume, which measures air expelled during a specific short effort, and from inspiratory reserve volume or residual volume, which are static lung volumes, not rates.