Pulmonary function tests, or PFTs, are a set of diagnostic tools for measuring your lung health. PFTs often prove useful in identifying a previously undetected respiratory ailment or in tracking the development of an already-known condition. Data from these tests include lung capacity, airflow strength, residual air volumes, peak performance rates, and degrees of gas exchange (oxygen for carbon dioxide). These numbers are compared to averages for individuals like you, to determine whether they fall within normal, healthy ranges.

Respiratory care is a major focus at Baptist Health. Our physicians, therapists, and other providers stay up-to-date with the latest advances in treating pulmonary conditions and diseases. You’ll receive the best that medicine has to offer, always with a human touch.

Why Would I Receive a Pulmonary Function Test?

Pulmonary function tests are helpful in pinpointing medical problems in persons presenting symptoms or working in environments with known risk agents. Among conditions that sometimes require one or more PFTs are:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Chemical or asbestos inhalation
• Chest wounds or injuries
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Lung cancer
• Restrictive airway ailments
• Scleroderma
• Various infections.

PFTs are also performed to prepare patients for surgery and to gauge lung health in smokers and other tobacco users.

How Will Pulmonary Function Testing Help My Condition?

PFTs can provide your physician with the information he or she needs to formulate a diagnosis for the symptoms you’re experiencing. You’ll have more and better treatment options when the underlying cause is known. PFTs can also document a medical condition’s progress, enabling your medical team to adjust medications and therapies and step up your care.

What Should I Expect from Pulmonary Function Testing?

If you’re scheduled for one or more PFTs, there are several things you can do beforehand to enhance the testing experience:

• Follow your physician’s directions with regard to any drugs that you’re taking. Respiratory, pain, and other types of medications can skew test results.
• Avoid large meals and caffeinated beverages before a PFT. A full stomach can impede proper breathing; caffeine artificially opens airways.
• Don’t use tobacco products beforehand.
• Wear loose-fitting garments with a minimum of jewelry.

Among the most common PFTs are:

• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test: An arterial blood gas test measures the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your bloodstream, which are critical indicators of pulmonary efficiency. ABG tests require a blood sample.
• Body Plethysmography: This test measures the amount of air you take in when breathing deeply, and how much is left behind when you breathe out (“residual air”). It is used with symptoms of asthma, COPD, and restrictive airway ailments. It also plays a role in determining whether bronchodilators might help your condition.
• Bronchial Provocation Test: To provoke something is to goad it into a response. Bronchial provocation tests are designed to provoke asthma into revealing itself. A common version is known as a methacholine challenge test. You inhale a medication that narrows the lung’s airways and then blow into a spirometer, which measures the volume and speed of your outbreath. Data from this test is helpful in diagnosing asthma.
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test: An exercise stress test is designed to measure the efficiency of your cardiopulmonary system – how the heart and lungs work together. While you exercise on a stationary bike or treadmill, your physician will record your heart and lung activity. 
• Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test: The buildup of nitric oxide gas in the body is one byproduct of having asthma. This test measures the amount nitric oxide you release during exhalation.
• Lung Diffusion Capacity: A lung diffusion capacity test measures how effective your body is in moving oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
• Pulse Oximetry Test: A pulse oximetry test is similar to an arterial blood gas test, but without the blood draw. A light-emitting device is clipped your earlobe or finger, which computes the level of oxygen in the blood.
• Spirometry: Spirometry is a common test for asthma and COPD. It measures the amount of air you breathe in and out, and how quickly you can release it.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

PFTs are non-invasive and generally low risk. There is some chance that you’ll experience:

• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Feeling winded
• An asthmatic attack caused by deep breathing.

Persons with unstable heart conditions or who were recently operated on may not be good candidates for certain pulmonary function tests.

What Is My Prognosis with Pulmonary Function Testing?

Pulmonary function tests are diagnostic tools for identifying the nature and severity of respiratory problems. Having good medical data will assist your physician in making appropriate determinations about your care, which is a key to managing your condition and improving long-term outlook.

When It Comes to Respiratory Health, We’re a Breath of Fresh Air

If you’re dealing with a respiratory ailment or condition, see your Baptist Health physician. He or she will be able to assess your condition and determine which medical treatments, if any, are most appropriate for you.

How Will Pulmonary Function Testing Help My Condition?

PFTs can provide your physician with the information he or she needs to formulate a diagnosis for the symptoms you’re experiencing. You’ll have more and better treatment options when the underlying cause is known. PFTs can also document a medical condition’s progress, enabling your medical team to adjust medications and therapies and step up your care.

What Should I Expect from Pulmonary Function Testing?

If you’re scheduled for one or more PFTs, there are several things you can do beforehand to enhance the testing experience:

• Follow your physician’s directions with regard to any drugs that you’re taking. Respiratory, pain, and other types of medications can skew test results.
• Avoid large meals and caffeinated beverages before a PFT. A full stomach can impede proper breathing; caffeine artificially opens airways.
• Don’t use tobacco products beforehand.
• Wear loose-fitting garments with a minimum of jewelry.

Among the most common PFTs are:

• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test: An arterial blood gas test measures the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your bloodstream, which are critical indicators of pulmonary efficiency. ABG tests require a blood sample.
• Body Plethysmography: This test measures the amount of air you take in when breathing deeply, and how much is left behind when you breathe out (“residual air”). It is used with symptoms of asthma, COPD, and restrictive airway ailments. It also plays a role in determining whether bronchodilators might help your condition.
• Bronchial Provocation Test: To provoke something is to goad it into a response. Bronchial provocation tests are designed to provoke asthma into revealing itself. A common version is known as a methacholine challenge test. You inhale a medication that narrows the lung’s airways and then blow into a spirometer, which measures the volume and speed of your outbreath. Data from this test is helpful in diagnosing asthma.
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test: An exercise stress test is designed to measure the efficiency of your cardiopulmonary system – how the heart and lungs work together. While you exercise on a stationary bike or treadmill, your physician will record your heart and lung activity. 
• Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test: The buildup of nitric oxide gas in the body is one byproduct of having asthma. This test measures the amount nitric oxide you release during exhalation.
• Lung Diffusion Capacity: A lung diffusion capacity test measures how effective your body is in moving oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
• Pulse Oximetry Test: A pulse oximetry test is similar to an arterial blood gas test, but without the blood draw. A light-emitting device is clipped your earlobe or finger, which computes the level of oxygen in the blood.
• Spirometry: Spirometry is a common test for asthma and COPD. It measures the amount of air you breathe in and out, and how quickly you can release it.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

PFTs are non-invasive and generally low risk. There is some chance that you’ll experience:

• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Feeling winded
• An asthmatic attack caused by deep breathing.

Persons with unstable heart conditions or who were recently operated on may not be good candidates for certain pulmonary function tests.

What Is My Prognosis with Pulmonary Function Testing?

Pulmonary function tests are diagnostic tools for identifying the nature and severity of respiratory problems. Having good medical data will assist your physician in making appropriate determinations about your care, which is a key to managing your condition and improving long-term outlook.

When It Comes to Respiratory Health, We’re a Breath of Fresh Air

If you’re dealing with a respiratory ailment or condition, see your Baptist Health physician. He or she will be able to assess your condition and determine which medical treatments, if any, are most appropriate for you.