Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-5-.07 - Respiratory Function

Respiratory impairment leads to a decreased ability to adequately provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood to meet the demands, required of drivers.

(a) Tests of Ventilatory Function.

1. Since tests require maximal voluntary effort on the part of the patient they are not infallible, and should be repeated if significant impairment is noted.

2. A bronchodilator should be administered if the cause of the respiratory deficiency is suspected to be bronchial obstruction. If there is a 15 percent improvement in subsequent tests after this treatment, these values must be considered to be the true state of the individuals respiratory capacity.

(b) The tests most likely to give a survey of the driver's ventiliatory capacity are:

1. The 1 second forced expiratory volume (F.E.V.);

2. The forced vital capacity (F.V.C.);

3. The determination of the maximal voluntary ventilation (M.V.V.).

(c) Test requirements.

1. Results of the above tests should be expressed in terms of liters or liters per minute and also as a percentage of the predicted normal.

2. The FEVT.O and the FVC should be administered three times, with the best test result determined as the most representative of the patients capacity.

3. The MVV is a fatiguing test, requiring considerable muscular effort, thus the better of two attempts should be accepted.

(d) Groupings of impairment to driving caused by ventilatory deficiency:

1. Group A--Chest X-Ray are usually normal, but may show healed or inactive disease of the chest. Dyspnea, if it occurs is consistent with the type and degree of physical exertion. Values obtained from at least two of the ventilatory function tests are no less than 85 percent of predicted normal values for patient's age, sex and height. Blood gases are usually within the normal range.

2. Group B--Chest X-Rays are normal or abnormal. Dyspnea does not occur at rest and usually does not occur during the performance of usual daily activities. The subject can keep a normal pace with persons of the same age and body build on level ground without breathlessness, but not on hills and stairs. Values obtained from at least two of the ventilatory function tests are in the range of 70 to 85 percent of the predicted normal values. Blood gases usually are normal but the oxygen partial pressure present on a random sample of arterial blood may be diminished to 75 mm. Hg. (Numerical values may differ among laboratories and it should be noted that the following values are based on a lower limit of 85 mm. Hg.)

3. Group C--Chest X-Rays may be normal but usually are not. Dyspnea does not occur at rest but is present during performance of usual daily activities. The individual can walk one mile at his own pace without dyspnea but is unable to keep up with his peers. Value of at least two ventilatory function tests are in the range of 55 to 70 percent of the predicted normal values. The blood gases are usually normal with partial pressure of arterial oxygen no less than 70 mm. Hg.

4. Group D -- Chest X-Rays are usually abnormal. Dyspnea occurs climbing one flight of stairs, walking 100 yards on the level, or even at rest. Values obtained from at least two ventilatory function tests are below 55 percent of the predicted normal value. The partial pressure of arterial oxygen is less than 65 mm. Hg.

(i) Table acceptable levels of respiratory function for Drivers Licensure.

Class C	Class M	Class B
A	Yes	Yes	Yes
B	Yes	Yes	Individual
Consideration
C	Yes	Yes	Individual
Consideration
D	Individual	No	No
Consideration
Class A	Periodic	Limited
Reevaluation	License
A	Yes	No	No
B	Individual	Yes	Yes
Consideration
C	Individual	Yes	Yes
Consideration
D	No	Yes	Yes

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-3-5-.07

Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 40-5-4, 40-5-34.

Original Rule entitled "Respiratory Function" adopted. F. Apr. 18, 2006; eff. May 8, 2006.