Pulmonary function tests

Spirometry measures airflow. By measuring how much air you exhale, and how quickly you exhale, spirometry can evaluate a broad range of lung diseases. In a spirometry test, while you are sitting, you breathe into a mouthpiece that is connected to an instrument called a spirometer. The spirometer records the amount and…

Do not eat a heavy meal before the test. Do not smoke for 4 to 6 hours before the test. You will get specific instructions if you need to stop using bronchodilators or other inhaled medicines. You may have to breathe in medicine before or during the test.

Since the test involves some forced breathing and rapid breathing, you may have some temporary shortness of breath or lightheadedness. You also might have some coughing. You breathe through a tight-fitting mouthpiece and you will have nose clips. If you are claustrophobic, the part of the test in the closed booth may…

Pulmonary function tests are done to: Help diagnose certain lung diseases, such as asthma , bronchitis , and emphysema Find the cause of shortness of breath Measure whether exposure to chemicals at work affects lung function Check lung function before someone has surgery Assess the effect of medicines Measure disease…

Predicted results that compare you to your peers in age, sex, height and weight are utilized and your results are calculated to be a percentage of these. Your results are considered abnormal if they are significantly lower. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories, based on slightly different…

Abnormal results usually mean that you may have chest or lung disease. Some lung diseases (such as emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and infections) mainly affect the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. They can make the lungs contain too much air and take longer to empty. These lung diseases are called…

There is a small risk for collapsed lung (pneumothorax) in people with a certain type of lung disease. The test should not be given to a person who has experienced a recent heart attack, has certain other types of heart disease, or has had a recent collapsed lung.

Bhakta NR, Kaminsky DA. Pulmonary function testing: physiologic and testing principles. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 31. Scanlon PD, Niven AS. Respiratory testing and function. In: Goldman L, Cooney…