title: Pulmonary function testing in asthma: nursing applications.
abstract: Spirometry has become the most widely used assessment of pulmonary function for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. This article reviews the indications for spirometry in persons who have asthma, the parameters measured, acceptable testing techniques, acceptability, quality assurance criteria, and basic interpretation of results in evaluating the person who has asthma. Understanding basic spirometry is an invaluable aid to the nurse and nurse practitioner who provide care to children and adults who have asthma.
authors.affiliation: Matria Healthcare, Inc, 2161 New Market Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067, USA. brenda_conner@matria.com
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conner
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meng
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards