What does a pulmonary function test measure?

A pulmonary function test specifically measures breathing and lung function. It assesses how well the lungs are working by measuring the volume of air a person can inhale and exhale, as well as the speed at which air can be expelled from the lungs. This test is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions that affect breathing.

The test typically includes several key components: spirometry, which measures the amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second; lung volume tests, which assess the total volume of air the lungs can hold; and diffusion capacity tests, which evaluate how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. These measurements provide valuable insights into a patient’s respiratory health and the effectiveness of treatments.

Understanding pulmonary function is essential because it helps healthcare providers determine the presence of respiratory diseases, severity, and the impact of those conditions on a patient’s ability to breathe. Consequently, options that refer to heart rate and blood flow, oxygen levels in the blood, or body temperature and metabolism do not relate to the purpose of a pulmonary function test, which is solely focused on assessing lung capacity and airflow.