Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests: Spirometry

Esther Lum, M.D.
Professor
Department of Internal Medicine

Thomas Gross, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine

The University of Iowa

Physician CME and Pharmacy CEUs Sponsored by:
The Department of Internal Medicine
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed
First Published: October 1996
Last Revised: June 2002

Table of Contents

Introduction

Pulmonary function testing is one of the basic tools for evaluating a patient's respiratory status. In patients with suspected pulmonary disease, it is often the first diagnostic test employed in the work up. Pulmonary function tests (PFT's) are also used for pre-operative evaluation, managing patients with known pulmonary disease, and quantifying pulmonary disability. Although the fully equipped PFT laboratory utilizes a host of sophisticated equipment, simple spirometry is relatively easy to administer and standardize and has become portable enough to use at outreach clinics and industrial health centers. The increasing availability of spirometry has led to greater use by both primary care physicians and specialists, some of whom may lack formal training in interpreting results. This educational module is designed to provide an introduction to quality assessment and basic interpretation of spirometric testing.

• Spirometry
• Requirements for Good PFT's
• Interpreting Spirometry
• References
   
• Practice Test for Physicians
• Test for Physicians
• Goals and CME accreditation
• Evaluation Form

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