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Pulmonary Function Test |
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In the test known as spirometry, a patient blows into the testing apparatus as rapidly and as hard as he can for as long as he is able. Two good trials are required for an accurate test. This test measures the air flow and is useful in detecting the presence and severity of such obstructive airway diseases as asthma. If the spirogram is abnormal, a bronchodilator medication is usually given to the patient, and the spirogram is then repeated. Any improvement after the inhalation of the bronchodilator agent suggests that the patient may benefit from the chronic use of similar agents. |
Pulmonary
Function Testing refers to a series of diagnostic studies done in an
outpatient setting. They can help diagnose the cause of a symptom
(such as shortness of breath), the extent of a disease (such as how
advanced is the condition of a patient with emphysema), and also
help determine the efficacy of therapy.