Pulmonary Function Testing
Pulmonary function testing measures how well the lungs take in and exhale air and how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood.
The test is performed to assess lung function and diagnose certain types of lung disease.
Preparation
Do not eat a heavy meal before the test. Do not smoke for 4 to 6 hours prior to the test. Our staff will notify you if bronchodilators or inhaler medications should be withheld. There is a consent form for this procedure.
Procedure
During this test, you will be asked to wear nose clips and breathe into a mouthpiece that is connected to a spirometer, an instrument that measures the amount and rate of air that is breathed in and out over a set amount of times. Some of the test measurements are obtained by normal, quiet breathing and others require forced inhalation or exhalation after a deep breath.
Since the test involves some forced breathing and rapid breathing, some temporary shortness of breath or lightheadedness may be experienced.
Pulmonary function testing takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to perform.