Expiratory reserve volume is defined as?

Expiratory reserve volume is defined as?

• A. The amount of air in excess of tidal volume that can be exhaled with maximum effort
• B. The amount of air inhaled beyond tidal volume
• C. The total volume exhaled during quiet breathing
• D. The amount of air left in the lungs after maximum inspiration

Answer: (C)

This question tests understanding of expiratory reserve volume: the extra air you can forcefully exhale after a normal breath. After you complete a quiet exhale (tidal volume), you can still push out more air if you exhale with maximal effort; that additional amount is expiratory reserve volume. So the description that fits this concept is the amount of air in excess of tidal volume that can be exhaled with maximum effort. The other terms refer to different parts of the respiratory volumes: inhaling beyond tidal volume is inspiratory reserve volume, the total air exhaled during quiet breathing is tidal volume, and the air left in the lungs after a maximum inspiration is residual volume.

This question tests understanding of expiratory reserve volume: the extra air you can forcefully exhale after a normal breath. After you complete a quiet exhale (tidal volume), you can still push out more air if you exhale with maximal effort; that additional amount is expiratory reserve volume.

So the description that fits this concept is the amount of air in excess of tidal volume that can be exhaled with maximum effort. The other terms refer to different parts of the respiratory volumes: inhaling beyond tidal volume is inspiratory reserve volume, the total air exhaled during quiet breathing is tidal volume, and the air left in the lungs after a maximum inspiration is residual volume.