Pulmonary Function Tests (2024)

What are pulmonary function tests?

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests that show how wellthe lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates offlow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare providerdiagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders.

There are 2 types of disorders that cause problems with air moving in andout of the lungs:

• Obstructive. This is when air has trouble flowing out of the lungs due to airway resistance. This causes a decreased flow of air.

• Restrictive. This is when the lung tissue and/or chest muscles can’t expand enough. This creates problems with air flow, mostly due to lower lung volumes.

PFT can be done with 2 methods. These 2 methods may be used together andperform different tests, depending on the information that your healthcareprovider is looking for:

• Spirometry. A spirometer is a device with a mouthpiece hooked up to a small electronic machine.

• Plethysmography. You sit or stand inside an air-tight box that looks like a short, square telephone booth to do the tests.

PFT measures:

• Tidal volume (VT). This is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

• Minute volume (MV). This is the total amount of air exhaled per minute.

• Vital capacity (VC). This is the total volume of air that can be exhaled after inhaling as much as you can.

• Functional residual capacity (FRC). This is the amount of air left in lungs after exhaling normally.

• Residual volume. This is the amount of air left in the lungs after exhaling 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 exhaled forcefully and quickly after inhaling as much as you can.

• Forced expiratory volume (FEV). This is the amount of air expired during the first, second, and third seconds of the FVC test.

• Forced expiratory flow (FEF). This is the average rate of flow during the middle half of the FVC test.

• Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). This is the fastest rate that you can force air out of your lungs.

Normal values for PFTs vary from person to person. The amount of airinhaled and exhaled in your test results are compared to the average forsomeone of the same age, height, sex, and race. Results are also comparedto any of your previous test results. If you have abnormal PFT measurementsor if your results have changed, you may need other tests.

Why might I need pulmonary function tests?

There are many different reasons why pulmonary function tests (PFTs) may bedone. They are sometimes done in healthy people as part of a routinephysical. They are also routinely done in certain types of workenvironments to ensure employee health (such as graphite factories and coalmines). Or you may have PFTs if your healthcare provider needs help todiagnose you with a health problem such as:

• Allergies

• Respiratory infections

• Trouble breathing from injury to the chest or a recent surgery

• Chronic lung conditions, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis

• Asbestosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers

• Restrictive airway problems from scoliosis, tumors, or inflammation or scarring of the lungs

• Sarcoidosis, a disease that causes lumps of inflammatory cells around organs, such as the liver, lungs, and spleen

• Scleroderma, a disease that causes thickening and hardening of connective tissue

PFTs may be used to check lung function before surgery or other proceduresin patients who have lung or heart problems, who are smokers, or who haveother health conditions. Another use of PFTs is to assess treatment forasthma, emphysema, and other chronic lung problems. Your healthcareprovider may also have other reasons to advise PFTs.

What are the risks of pulmonary function tests?

Because pulmonary function testing is not an invasive procedure, it is safeand quick for most people. But the person must be able to follow clear,simple directions.

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, a person 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 (TB) or respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu

Your risks may vary depending on your general health and other factors. Askyour healthcare provider which risks apply most to you. Talk with him orher about any concerns you have.

Certain things can make PFTs less accurate. These include:

• The degree of patient cooperation and effort

• Use of medicines that open the airways (bronchodilators)

• Use of pain medicines

• Pregnancy

• Stomach bloating that affects the ability to take deep breaths

• Extreme tiredness or other conditions that affect a person’s ability to do the tests (such as a head cold)

How do I get ready for pulmonary function tests?

Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you. Ask him or herany questions you have. You may be asked to sign a consent form that givespermission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions ifanything is not clear.

Tell your healthcare provider if you take any medicines. This includesprescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbalsupplements.

Make sure to:

• Stop taking certain medicines before the procedure, if instructed by your healthcare provider

• Stop smoking before the test, if instructed by your healthcare provider. Ask your provider how many hours before the test you should stop smoking.

• Not eat a heavy meal before the test, if instructed by your healthcare provider

• Follow any other instructions your healthcare provider gives you

Your height and weight will be recorded before the test. This is done sothat your results can be accurately calculated.

What happens during pulmonary function tests?

You may have your procedure as an outpatient. This means you go home thesame day. Or it may be done as part of a longer stay in the hospital. Theway the procedure is done may vary. It depends on your condition and yourhealthcare provider's methods. In most cases, the procedure will followthis process:

1. You’ll be asked to loosen tight clothing, jewelry, or other things that may cause a problem with the procedure.

2. If you wear dentures, you will need to wear them during the procedure.

3. You’ll need to empty your bladder before the procedure.

4. 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.

5. You’ll be given a sterile mouthpiece that is attached to a spirometer.

6. You’ll form a tight seal over the mouthpiece with your mouth. You’ll be instructed to inhale and exhale in different ways.

7. You will be watched carefully during the procedure for dizziness, trouble breathing, or other problems.

8. You may be given a bronchodilator after certain tests. The tests will then be repeated several minutes later, after the bronchodilator has taken effect.

What happens after pulmonary function tests?

If you have a history of lung or breathing problems, you may be tired afterthe tests. You will be given a chance to rest afterwards. Your healthcareprovider will talk with you about your test results.