Lung Function Testing

Pulmonary function tests (PFT’s) are breathingtests to find out how well you move air in and out of your lungs and how well oxygen entersyour body. The most common PFT is spirometry. The spirometer measures how much air you can breathe into your lungs and how
much air you can quickly blow out of your lungs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would this test be preformed?

Pulmonary function tests help a doctor to diagnose respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema, and mechanical injury by measuring the degree of lung impairment. These tests are also done before major lung surgery to make sure the patient will not be disabled by having a reduced lung capacity. When performed over time, these tests are helpful in evaluating how a lung disease is progressing, and how serious the lung disease has become. They are also be used to assess how a patient is responding to different treatments.

What is Spirometery?

Spirometry is one of the most commonly ordered lung function tests. The spirometer measures how
much air you can breathe into your lungs and howmuch air you can quickly blow out of your lungs.
This test is done by having you take in a deepbreath and then, as fast as you can, blow out all of
the air. You will be blowing into a tube connectedto a machine (spirometer). To get the “best” test
result, the test is repeated three times. You will begiven a rest between tests.

How should I prepare for a test?

If you are having this test preformed you should not eat a heavy meal before the test, nor smoke for four to six hours beforehand. The doctor will give specific instructions about whether or not to use medications before the test.