3 learning resources available for this topic
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are non-invasive diagnostic procedures that measure lung capacity, airflow rates, and gas exchange efficiency to evaluate respiratory health. These tests help diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, restrictive lung disease, and monitor treatment effectiveness or disease progression.
PFTs assess various aspects of respiratory mechanics including lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates by measuring air movement during forced breathing maneuvers. Abnormal results may indicate obstructive patterns (reduced airflow due to airway narrowing), restrictive patterns (reduced lung expansion), or mixed patterns, reflecting different underlying disease processes affecting ventilation and gas exchange.
Healthcare providers order PFTs when patients present with dyspnea, chronic cough, or suspected respiratory disease, using results to differentiate between obstructive and restrictive patterns. Serial PFT measurements help monitor disease progression, assess treatment response, and guide therapeutic adjustments, while pre-operative testing evaluates surgical risk in patients with known or suspected pulmonary compromise.