ABCs of simple pulmonary function assessment.
A careful history, including smoking habits, presence of chronic lung disease in the family history and symptoms of cough, dyspnea and wheeze, will often give the first clue to the presence of chronic lung diseases. The assessment of the patient includes a physical examination and simple spirometric measurements of airflow and volume from fully inflated lungs. When symptoms and airflow abnormalities are present, concern for the patient's outcome is appropriately heightened. This will cause the health care provider to decide on additional observations or evaluation to help prevent the consequences of otherwise undetected chronic lung diseases.
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D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity