Pulmonary Function Laboratory
General Instructions:
Arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time.
Children are not permitted in the lab during any pulmonary test.
If you have or recovering from an acute respiratory illness on the day of you test, please contact the Pulmonary Clinic to determine if you need to reschedule your appointment.
To cancel an appointment, please contact the clinic immediately.
Procedure Instructions:
No alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, products Including chewing tobacco the day of your test.
Rescue inhalers should not be used unless if it is absolutely necessary. Please contact the clinic for rescheduling your appointment if an inhaler is used.
Spirometry / Full Pulmonary Function Test
A spirometry test is a common test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring how much air you inhale and exhale. Additionally, we can perform body plethysmography and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) examinations to measure more specific lung functions.
Exercise Induced Bronchoprovocation (EIB) & Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test:
Do not exercise the day of your test.
Do not eat within 3 hours of testing
Attire: You must wear appropriate exercise attire for testing. Appropriate clothing includes approved military PT uniforms, gym shorts, warm up pants, T-shirts, sports bra (for females) and running shoes. ACU, ABU, NWU are not approved exercise clothing.
Methacholine Challenge
A methacholine challenge test helps diagnose and monitor asthma, a chronic lung disease marked by acute flare-ups of inflammation and swelling of the airways in the lungs.
Do not exercise the day of your test.
Do not eat within 3 hours of testing
The following medications should be stopped prior to testing. If for some reason one of these medications are administered prior to testing, please contact the clinic for guidance.
Coffee, tea, caffeine, chocolate: Day of study
Short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators: 8 hrs (Albuterol, Proair, Proventil, Ventolin, Xopenex)
Long-acting beta agonist bronchodilators: 24 hrs (Arcapta, Foradil, Serevent, Striverdi)
Short-acting Anticholenergic bronchodilators: 24 hrs (Atrovent, Combivent)
Antihistamine & Leukotriene inhibitors: 72 hrs (Allegra, Zyrtec, Benedryl, Clartin, Xyzal, Singulair)
Long-acting Anticholenergic bronchodilators: 72 hrs (Seebri, Incruse, Spriva, Tudorza)
Long-acting beta & Long-acting muscarinic agonist: 72 hrs (Anoro, Brevespi, Stiolto, Utibron)
Corticosteroids: 7 to 14 days (Flovent, Pulmicort, Qvar, Asmanex, Ellipta, Arnuity, Alvesco, Aerospan)
Long-acting beta agonist & Corticosteroids: 7 to 14 days (Advair, Breo, Dulera, Symbicort)
6 Minute Walk Test & High Altitude Simulation Test
These tests are used to determine your need for supplemental oxygen.
If you are currently prescribed home Oxygen, continue to wear the Oxygen until you arrive for your appointment.
Bring your rescue inhaler with you to the appointment.