Pulmonary function testing is an evaluation consisting of many different tests that measure the function of the lungs and diagnose various lung conditions.
Tests perform and include X-rays, physicals, arterial blood gas analysis, plethysmography or spirometry.
These test the effects of chemicals on lungs, determine the cause of shortness of breath and check the area before lung surgery. This test can also diagnose certain types of lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, find the cause of shortness of breath, measure whether the exposure to chemicals in a work environment affects the lung function and to check before a patient has surgery.