title: Understanding pulmonary function tests.
abstract: Lung volume measurements include vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, expiratory reserve volume, functional residual capacity, residual volume, total lung capacity and tidal volume. Minute ventilation and forced vital capacity help to determine the patient's ability to move air. Other tests measure parameters such as diffusion across the alveolocapillary membrane and gas distribution. Combined with blood gas measurements, these tests are invaluable in the study of dyspneic patients and patients undergoing major surgery, in monitoring of pulmonary disease and in selection of therapy.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests