The Day of Your Pulmonary Function Procedure

This video shows the Pulmonary Function test, which is used to measure how well lungs take in and release air. Using spirometry measurements and measuring how much air is exhaled, the diffusion capacity of oxygen from an individual’s lungs into the bloodstream can be determined. Do not smoke for 4 to 6 hours before the test. Spirometry is a standard lung volume test to diagnosis asthma. It involves a spirometer and breathing tube to measure a person’s lung volume during normal and active breathing. In this video, a detail run-through of a spirometry test is presented.

This video is provided for general and educational information only. Please consult your health care provider for Information about your health.

This video was created by McMaster students Karun Tandon, Julian Yabut, Tiffany Tian, Eshan Shah, and Kim Nguyen in collaboration with the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program.

Special thanks to 4DM3 students Steven Liang, Beerpal Plaha, Daniel Tae Oh Yoo, Daniel Weiss as well as Meridene Haynes from the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

Copyright McMaster University, 2015.

[Thaftrlf]

I’m autistic and I’m getting one of these tomorrow so this helps me know what’s going to happen step by step so thank you for this :)

[megshafer]

I wish I would have had her at my first PFT test....I wouldn't have had to live through trams for a year. A person giving this test should really know what thy are doing, and be certified. This wonderful lady knew what she was

[Reg]

Thanks for this. I have my PFT on May 16th. I breathed in then slowly out when the guy did and I barely lasted half the time he did before I was coughing and was out of breath again.

[cathydillon]

Love this little demo!! I hope I will be able to see the results as they appear and with this explanation, I will have a much better idea to understand what I am seeing.

[rosacastillo]

I went to that test and the woman doing the test was always asking me to breathe stronger it was no that simple, and penalty it was normal. I struggle when some one smokes I can get so bad that I have to rest up to two hours. But the test was normal.

[timobrien]

Having one done May 31st. This helped me know what to expect. But the off & on music is a little annoying. Either keep it on but just a bit quieter or don't play it till the end.

[westonhuffman]

Well, I love the rubber flange mouthpiece with the two tabs that you bite down on.

[SunnySummer]

Awesome video! This helped me study for my Medical Assisting Program:)

[goodneighborlawns]

This is not at ALL what my test was like. The physicians assistants at the emergency clinic i went to didnt even know how to hook up the portable spirometer. Then they couldnt remember if i put my lips inside or around the mouthpiece. Then couldnt remember if i was supposed to breathe slowly or quickly. Didnt plug my nose. Had me do a super fast burst about 4-6 times. Told me I have COPD after looking at predictive values for about 10 seconds. I have been feeling short of breath for a few days maybe a week but have crazy anxiety. Its irritated my throat from me trying to take so many deep breaths. Feels kind of tight. Now i have smoked on and off since i was 17-18 and I am now 36 but was never a particularly heavy smoker. My parents were until their early 60s and neither have COPD. I have quit smoking for good and will get my body in shape then go get a proper PFT.

[yesikanarvaez]

I freaked out at the whole phone booth thing part of my test so i have to retake it

[zuuzsh.]

Does this test result let us know if we have asthma !? 🤔

[lottie]

How they find out if u have enough 02 going to the brain

[spirithawk]

I have my first one ever .... Covid brought me here

[AmandaAllen-cq]

I have mine scheduled for January 8, 2024 at 740am

[MK-dhmi]

You need to get the music under control. It's jarring when it pops up, covers up dialogue, and isn't necessary. It just sounds like a series of sloppy mistakes to what would have otherwise been a good video.

[مقاطعمتنوعة-تن]

The test was breeze, it just took me five minutes including some brief explanation from the nurse

[AlabamaWorley]

I couldn't blow out with my mouth on the tube but I can.