Preparing for Your Pulmonary Function Test

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are diagnostic tools used for detecting, characterizing, and quantifying the severity of lung disease. Routine testing may also be done to monitor the course of disease and response to treatment, assess the risk for surgical procedures, and assess impairment or disability. 

We perform pulmonary function testing in pediatric (5 yrs and above) through geriatric patients.

At the UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital Pulmonary Function Testing Lab, one of the largest Pulmonary Function Labs in Southern California, we provide a large array of tests.

We have specially trained respiratory therapists working in our Pulmonary Function Lab. Many of them are recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care as Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologists. They perform various tests including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, bronchodilator testing, bronchial challenge testing, the six-minute walk test, ambulatory oxygen studies, certification and recertification for oxygen usage, exercise induced bronchospasm studies, shunt studies, high altitude simulation testing, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, indirect calorimetry studies, overnight oximetry studies, arterial blood gases, and co-oximetry.

In addition to our main specialized Pulmonary Function Lab at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital, we also offer routine pulmonary function testing at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, UCLA West Valley Hospital, and numerous UCLA Health clinic locations.

At all sites our state of the art equipment is completely integrated into CareConnect (our electronic medical records system) and all testing is immediately posted to the patient's chart and sent for interpretation by one of our pulmonologists.

What to expect during testing:

During the testing the patient sits in a chair and performs various breathing tests via a mouthpiece into the analyzer. Testing time can vary depending upon which test is ordered, testing may take anywhere from 30 minutes up 2 hours. Exercise testing may take a little longer due to set up time.

To prepare for your pulmonary function test, follow these instructions:

• No bronchodilator medication for four hours. Your doctor may provide you with additional instructions to withhold your inhaler medicines for testing
• No smoking for four hours before the test
• No heavy meals
• Do not wear any tight clothing, for exercise testing please wear a shirt that buttons up from the front and comfortable shoes
• The complete pulmonary function test takes around one and a half hours
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to register