What is an expected finding in spirometry for someone with restrictive lung disease?

In restrictive lung disease, the hallmark finding in spirometry is a low forced vital capacity (FVC) with normal or only slightly reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). This reflects the impaired ability of the lungs to expand fully due to restrictions, which could be related to intrinsic lung diseases, pleural disease, or extrapulmonary causes such as obesity or neuromuscular disorders.

The FEV1/FVC ratio in restrictive lung disease is often normal or even increased because while both FEV1 and FVC are reduced, the FEV1 is typically preserved to a greater extent compared to the FVC. This results in a ratio that may be normal or high, distinguishing it from obstructive lung diseases where the ratio is decreased due to a disproportionate reduction in FEV1 relative to FVC.

Therefore, the expected finding of low FVC with normal or slightly reduced FEV1 aligns with the pathophysiological characteristics of restrictive lung disease, making it the correct answer.