Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) Practice Exam

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What is the definition of residual volume?

  1. The amount of air a person can forcefully exhale after a normal exhalation

  2. The maximum amount of air inhaled after a normal inhalation

  3. The amount of air remaining in the lung at the end of a maximal exhalation

  4. The total volume of air the lungs can hold

The correct answer is: The amount of air remaining in the lung at the end of a maximal exhalation

Residual volume refers to the amount of air that remains in the lungs after a maximal exhalation. This means that after a person has exhaled as much as they possibly can, there is still some air left in their lungs. Option A is incorrect because it describes the definition of expiratory reserve volume (ERV), which is not the same as residual volume. Option B is incorrect because it describes the definition of inspiratory capacity, which is also not the same as residual volume. Option D is incorrect because it describes the total lung capacity, which is the sum of all lung volumes and not specific to just the amount of air remaining in the lungs after exhalation. Only option C accurately describes the definition of residual volume.