Pulmonary function tests are the diagnostic tests to detect, characterise and assess the progress of lung infections, lung diseases, or lung cancers. Various types of pulmonary function tests are body plethysmography tests, gas diffusion tests, spirometry tests, exercise stress tests, bronchial provocation tests, and pulse oximetry tests. All these tests assess lung functions, breathing rates, alveoli damage, lung tumour growth, bacterial infections, etc.
What happens during pulmonary function tests?
During pulmonary function tests, your lab professionals will perform the following steps specific to different tests:
Spirometry Test Procedure-
- 1. Nose breathing stopped: In a spirometry test, the patient is asked to breathe only from the mouth, and his nasal passage will be blocked by putting a clip.
- 2. A spirometer is put up on the mouth: A device to measure the volume of air inhaled or exhaled or to calculate the lung volume that is inspired in the body or expired in the body. This device is inserted into the mouth of the patient; as the patient breathes in, the spirometer checks the amount of air getting in, and as the patient breathes out, the same spirometer checks the amount of air getting out of the mouth.
- 3. Air is passed through the spirometer: The patient is asked to close the lips sideways of the spirometer so that no air can leak out without entering the spirometer.
Lung volume test procedure or body plethysmography test procedure-
- 1. Enter an airtight room
- 2. Spirometer connected to the mouth
- 3. Asked to inhale and exhale
- 4. The volume of lungs and pressure in the lungs are measured
-
In this simple test, the patient is asked to enter an airtight room that is very much similar to a phone booth. It is very much similar to a spirometer test. That spirometer will be connected to a machine that can measure how much air you breathe in and out as the volume and pressure inside the room increase or decrease. This will help to measure the lung volume of the patients.
Lung diffusion test procedure-
The most common procedure for a lung diffusion test involves the following test:
- 1. Mouthpiece device attached to the mouth: You will be asked to wear a mouthpiece device that is connected to a machine to calculate the volume of gas diffused throughout the process.
- 2. Clips placed over the nose: Your lab professional will place a clip over your nose to close it so that you can breathe only from the mouth.
- 3. Breathe through the device: You will breathe in and out through that mouthpiece, and the machine is turned ON to record the diffusion rate of particular non toxic gas that is inhaled by the patient.
- 4. The lung diffusion test will directly check the oxygen level in the bloodstream using the device.
-
Exercise test procedure-
It is the simplest test and not at all invasive. This test focuses on lung functions as the person performs physical activities. Blood oxygen, blood pressure, and heartbeat are assessed through this test by attaching a machine to your body while you go for a walk or run on a treadmill, or you may be asked to ride a manual bike. The effects of exercise on the lungs are checked through this test.
When is pulmonary function testing performed?
Pulmonary function testing is performed to check the functioning of lungs. Your doctor recommends pulmonary function tests when he suspects any lung disease, lung infection, any breathing problem, lung cancer or damage to the lungs.
When would pulmonary function testing be needed?
pulmonary function testing is needed to
- 1. Diagnose the problems in the lungs,
- 2. To check the rate of breathing
- 3. To assess lung functions
- 4. To measure the volume of air going in and out of the lungs in normal breathing and forced breathing
- 5. To quantify the lung diffusion rate or gas diffusion rate.
-
How does pulmonary function testing work?
Pulmonary function testing works differently for different test methods.
In case of Spirometry test procedure–
- 1. Nose breathing stopped: In a spirometry test, the patient is asked to breathe only from the mouth, and his nasal passage will be blocked by putting a clip.
- 2. A spirometer is put up on the mouth: A device to measure the volume of air inhaled or exhaled or to calculate the lung volume that is inspired in the body or expired in the body. This device is inserted into the mouth of the patient; as the patient breathes in, the spirometer checks the amount of air getting in, and as the patient breathes out, the same spirometer checks the amount of air getting out of the mouth.
- 3. Air is passed through the spirometer: The patient is asked to close the lips sideways of the spirometer so that no air can leak out without entering the spirometer.
-
In case of Lung volume test procedure or body plethysmography test procedure-
- 1. Enter an airtight room
- 2. Spirometer connected to the mouth
- 3. Asked to inhale and exhale
- 4. The volume of lungs and pressure in the lungs are measured
-
In this simple test, the patient is asked to enter an airtight room that is very much similar to a phone booth. It is very much similar to a spirometer test. That spirometer will be connected to a machine that can measure how much air you breathe in and out as the volume and pressure inside the room increase or decrease. This will help to measure the lung volume of the patients.
In case of lung diffusion test procedure-
The most common procedure for a lung diffusion test involves the following test:
- 1. Mouthpiece device attached to the mouth: You will be asked to wear a mouthpiece device that is connected to a machine to calculate the volume of gas diffused throughout the process.
- 2. Clips placed over the nose: Your lab professional will place a clip over your nose to close it so that you can breathe only from the mouth.
- 3. Breathe through the device: You will breathe in and out through that mouthpiece, and the machine is turned ON to record the diffusion rate of particular non toxic gas that is inhaled by the patient.
- 4. The lung diffusion test will directly check the oxygen level in the bloodstream using the device.
-
In case of exercise test procedure-
It is the simplest test and not at all invasive. This test focuses on lung functions as the person performs physical activities. Blood oxygen, blood pressure, and heartbeat are assessed through this test by attaching a machine to your body while you go for a walk or run on a treadmill, or you may be asked to ride a manual bike. The Effects of exercise on the lungs are checked through this test.
How long does a pulmonary function test take?
Pulmonary function tests take 45 to 90 minutes for the complete procedure. These tests can occur in three shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a pulmonary function test and how long does it take?
Pulmonary function tests are the diagnostic tests to detect, characterise and assess the progress of lung infections, lung diseases, or lung cancers. Pulmonary function tests take 45 to 90 minutes for the complete procedure. These tests can occur in three shifts. Various types of pulmonary function tests are body plethysmography tests, gas diffusion tests, spirometry tests, exercise stress tests, bronchial provocation tests, and pulse oximetry tests. All these tests assess lung functions, breathing rates, alveoli damage, lung tumour growth, bacterial infections, etc.
Q2. What do they do during a pulmonary function test?
During pulmonary function tests, your lab professionals will perform the following steps specific to different tests:
In spirometry test procedure-
- 1. Nose breathing stopped: In a spirometry test, the patient is asked to breathe only from the mouth, and his nasal passage will be blocked by putting a clip.
- 2. A spirometer is put up on the mouth: A device to measure the volume of air inhaled or exhaled or to calculate the lung volume that is inspired in the body or expired in the body. This device is inserted into the mouth of the patient; as the patient breathes in, the spirometer checks the amount of air getting in, and as the patient breathes out, the same spirometer checks the amount of air getting out of the mouth.
- 3. Air is passed through the spirometer: The patient is asked to close the lips sideways of the spirometer so that no air can leak out without entering the spirometer.
-
In lung volume test procedure or body plethysmography test procedure-
- 1. Enter an airtight room
- 2. Spirometer connected to the mouth
- 3. Asked to inhale and exhale
- 4. The volume of lungs and pressure in the lungs are measured
-
In this simple test, the patient is asked to enter an airtight room that is very much similar to a phone booth. It is very much similar to a spirometer test. That spirometer will be connected to a machine that can measure how much air you breathe in and out as the volume and pressure inside the room increase or decrease. This will help to measure the lung volume of the patients.
In lung diffusion test procedure-
The most common procedure for a lung diffusion test involves the following test:
- 1. Mouthpiece device attached to the mouth: You will be asked to wear a mouthpiece device that is connected to a machine to calculate the volume of gas diffused throughout the process.
- 2. Clips placed over the nose: Your lab professional will place a clip over your nose to close it so that you can breathe only from the mouth.
- 3. Breathe through the device: You will breathe in and out through that mouthpiece, and the machine is turned ON to record the diffusion rate of particular non toxic gas that is inhaled by the patient.
- 4. The lung diffusion test will directly check the oxygen level in the bloodstream using the device.
-
In exercise test procedure-
It is the simplest test and not at all invasive. This test focuses on lung functions as the person performs physical activities. Blood oxygen, blood pressure, and heartbeat are assessed through this test by attaching a machine to your body while you go for a walk or run on a treadmill, or you may be asked to ride a manual bike. The Effects of exercise on the lungs are checked through this test.
Q3. How long does a pulmonary function test take?
Pulmonary function tests take 45 to 90 minutes for the complete procedure. These tests can occur in three shifts.
Q4. Why would my doctor order a pulmonary function test?
Your doctor would order a pulmonary function test for you to check your lung function. Your doctor will detect the problem from the pulmonary function test and get a specific treatment for you. Pulmonary function testing is needed in the following cases,
- 1. To diagnose the problems in the lungs,
- 2. To check the rate of breathing
- 3. To assess lung functions
- 4. To measure the volume of air going in and out of the lungs in normal breathing and forced breathing
- 5. To quantify the lung diffusion rate or gas diffusion rate.
-
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