Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) Practice Exam

The inspiratory reserve volume is defined as the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal, quiet exhalation. This means that if we take a regular breath and let it out, the inspiratory reserve volume is the additional amount of air we can still inhale. Option A is incorrect because it refers to the volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration, which is the functional residual capacity. Option C is incorrect because a forceful cough would expel more air than the inspiratory reserve volume. Option D is incorrect because it refers to the minimal amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal exhalation, which is the residual volume. Therefore, the correct answer is option B.