Please report to the Cardio/Respiratory Services 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.

Please bring your health card to your appointment.

Phone: (807) 684-6680

The Test

• The tests are performed inside a booth with glass sides. You will be breathing through a mouthpiece/filter while wearing nose clips.
   
• The First Test involves normal breathing and then taking a deep breath in and blowing all the way out. You will then breathe normally and be asked to take rapid, shallow breaths for a short period of time.
   
• The Second Test involves rapid and forceful inhalation and exhalation. This is the most strenuous component of the testing. It is essential that you provide maximal effort.
   
• The Third Test involves normal breathing, followed by a deep inhalation and a 10 second breath hold.
   
• Following the Third Test, a medicated inhaler may be given to you and the second test repeated.
   
• Feel free to ask the Respiratory Therapist in attendance any questions that you might have.
   
• This test will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Preparation

If you are on the following medications:

• Bronchodilators: ie. Ventolin, Atrovent may be taken up to 8 hours prior to test.
   
• Accolade, Singular: May be taken up to 24 hours prior to test.
   
• Oxeze, Serevent, Advair: May be taken up to 48 hours prior to test.

Take all other medications as usual unless specified otherwise by your physician. If you have a cold, flu, fever or are feeling ill, please contact us at (807) 684-6680 prior to coming for your test.

You should not smoke for at least 8 hours before the test.

DO NOT WEAR LIPSTICK, PERFUMES OR COLOGNES ON THE DAY OF THE TEST.

Risks and Discomfort

A small part of the Pulmonary Function Test involves physical exertion in terms of taking rapid breaths with forceful exhalation. A small possibility of dizziness and/or difficulty breathing exists. Every effort will be made to minimize these by careful observation by the Therapist during the test. Tell the Respiratory Therapist if you experience any of these problems.

Benefits to be Expected

The results obtained from the Pulmonary Function Test may assist the physician in diagnosing many respiratory conditions and in evaluating the effectiveness of various therapies which he/she may prescribe.

Results

A formal report of the test results will be forwarded to your physician.