Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary Function or Breathing tests generally take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. To a large extent, these tests are dependent on patient cooperation and effort. You may be asked to withhold certain breathing medications prior to the test for periods of time which may range from a few hours to a few days.

Your physician may have ordered these tests in order to:

• Detect the presence or absence of lung disease as suggested by your history or other findings such as shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Quantify the severity of known lung disease such as Asthma/Emphysema
• Monitor the course or progression of lung disease
• Assess response to prescribed treatment
• Evaluate patient for Disability/Impairment for Medical, Industrial and Vocational purposes
• Assess potential effects or response to environmental or occupational exposure
• Assess risk for surgical procedures known to affect lung function

Some other tests which are also done in the Laboratory include collecting a specimen of blood from an artery to measure oxygen levels and walking you on a treadmill to determine if your oxygen levels decrease with exertion/exercise.

Pulmonary Function Requisition