What would you expect to find on Joey’s spirometry report during an asthma attack?

During an asthma attack, Joey's spirometry report would likely show the following:

1. Reduced Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): FVC is the maximum amount of air a person can exhale forcefully after taking the deepest breath possible. In an asthma attack, the airways become narrow and inflamed, reducing the total amount of air that can be exhaled.

2. Reduced Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1): FEV1 is the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in one second. During an asthma attack, this is typically reduced due to the narrowing of the airways.

3. Reduced FEV1/FVC ratio: This ratio is used to diagnose obstructive lung diseases like asthma. A reduced ratio (less than 0.7) indicates that the person has difficulty exhaling, which is a common symptom of asthma.

4. Increased Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF): PEF measures the maximum speed of expiration. During an asthma attack, this is usually decreased due to the difficulty in exhaling.

5. Evidence of reversibility: After taking a bronchodilator (a medication that opens up the airways), there should be a significant improvement in FEV1 and FVC. This is a key feature of asthma.

6. Variability: There may be significant variability in these measurements over time, reflecting the episodic nature of asthma.

Remember, these are general expectations. The exact values can vary depending on the severity of the asthma attack and the individual's overall health.