Pulmonary Function Test
It is the basic method used to evaluate lung function. It is routinely used in the diagnosis of obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, in determining the severity of the disease and response to treatment, in deciding whether surgical intervention is appropriate, in the diagnosis, screening and disability evaluation of occupational diseases.
How are pulmonary function tests performed?
The patient is in a sitting position during the test. Nasal breathing is prevented by closing the nose with a plastic clothespin. The patient breathes in and out through a disposable cardboard mouthpiece at the end of the device, which is to be used only by the patient. Depending on the nature of the test, the physician or technician conducting the test asks the patient to inhale very deeply, exhale very quickly and to the end, or hold his/her breath for a short period of time to perform the test maneuvers. The results of the test are taken immediately after these maneuvers are completed and the results are interpreted by a pulmonologist.
