What do pulmonary function tests show? my doctor is sending me for a pulmonary function test with arterial blood gases. what will this test tell him?

A : A pulmonary function test (often referred to as pfts) typically involves taking measurements of your lung capacity with a spirometer. This is a device which measures the volume of air in your lungs by asking you to take in as deep a breath as you can and then blow out as fast and as long as you can. From this simple maneuver, pulmonologists can accurately calculate you lung capacity and determine if there are any signs of disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). Sometimes, more detailed pfts are performed, which involves obtaining further measurements of lung volumes and the ability of the lungs to absorb gases. All of these tests require cooperation with instructions regarding deep breathing and breath holding and unless you provide your maximal effort with these breathing measurements, they will be inaccurate. Arterial blood gas testing is where a small sample of blood is usually obtained from the radial artery, which is the artery from which you can feel your pulse at the wrist. Analysis of this blood sample allows us to accurately assess the ability of your lungs to absorb oxygen as well as excrete carbon dioxide. It also provides information on the acidity of the blood and can indicate if increased blood acidity is due to pulmonary disease as well as accurately quantify its severity.

Tests: It will reflect your pulmonary condition, showing your lung capacity, respiratory effort and other parameters which will help with diagnoses and treatment. Blood gas will show your gases exchange, level of oxygen in your blood.