PFT Tests

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What are pulmonary function tests?

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  • Obstructive. This is when air has trouble flowing out of the lungs because of airway resistance. This causes slower flow of air.
  • Restrictive. This is when the lung tissue or chest muscles can’t expand enough. This creates problems with air flow, mostly because you have less lung volume.

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  • Spirometry. A spirometer is a device with a mouthpiece hooked up to a small electronic machine.
  • Plethysmography. You sit or stand inside an airtight box to do the tests.

PFTs measure:

  • Tidal volume. This is the amount of air breathed in or out during normal breathing.
  • Minute volume. This is the total amount of air breathed out per minute.
  • Vital capacity. This is the total volume of air that can be breathed out after breathing in as much as you can.
  • Functional residual capacity. This is the amount of air left in lungs after breathing out normally.
  • Residual volume. This is the amount of air left in the lungs after breathing out as much as you can.
  • Total lung capacity. This is the total volume of the lungs when filled with as much air as possible.
  • Forced vital capacity (FVC). This is the amount of air breathed out forcefully and quickly after breathing in as much as you can.
  • Forced expiratory volume. This is the amount of air breathed out during the first, second, and third seconds of the FVC test.
  • Forced expiratory flow. This is the average rate of flow during the middle half of the FVC test.
  • Peak expiratory flow rate. This is the fastest rate that you can force air out of your lungs.

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Why might I need pulmonary function tests?

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  • Dizziness during the tests
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Coughing
  • Asthma attack brought on by deep inhalation

All procedures have some risks. The risks of this procedure may include:

  • Dizziness during the tests
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Coughing
  • Asthma attack brought on by deep inhalation

In some cases, you shouldn’t have PFTs. Reasons for this can include:

  • Recent eye surgery, because of increased pressure inside the eyes during the procedure
  • Recent belly or chest surgery
  • Chest pain, recent heart attack, or an unstable heart condition
  • A bulging blood vessel (aneurysm) in the chest, belly, or brain
  • Active tuberculosis or respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu

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Certain things can make PFTs less accurate. These include:

  • Not following the instructions for doing the test
  • Using medicines that open the airways (bronchodilators)
  • Using pain medicines
  • Pregnancy
  • Stomach bloating. This can affect your ability to take deep breaths
  • Extreme tiredness or other conditions, such as a head cold, that affect your ability to do the tests

How do I get ready for pulmonary function tests?

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  • Stop taking certain medicines before the procedure if told to do so by your healthcare provider.
  • Stop smoking before the test if told to do so by your healthcare provider. Ask your provider how many hours before the test you should stop smoking.
  • Follow any directions you are given by your provider for not eating or drinking before the test.
  • Follow any other instructions your healthcare provider gives you.

What happens during pulmonary function tests?

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  • You’ll be asked to loosen tight clothing, jewelry, or other things that may cause a problem with the test.
  • If you wear dentures, you will need to wear them during the test.
  • You’ll need to empty your bladder before the test.
  • You’ll sit in a chair. A soft clip will be put on your nose. This is so all of your breathing is done through your mouth, not your nose.
  • You’ll be given a disposable mouthpiece that is attached to a spirometer.
  • You’ll form a tight seal over the mouthpiece with your mouth. You’ll be instructed to inhale and exhale in different ways.
  • You will be watched carefully during the test for dizziness, trouble breathing, or other problems.
  • You may be given a bronchodilator after certain tests. This medicine causes widening of the bronchi, the large air tubes that lead from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs. The tests will then be repeated several minutes later, after the bronchodilator has taken effect.

What happens after pulmonary function tests?

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