Which of the following are indications for assessing pulmonary function? 1. Screen for pulmonary disease. 2. Evaluate patients for surgical risk. 3. Assess the progression of disease. 4. Assist in diagnosing cardiac disability

Question

a. 1, 2, and 3 only
b. 2 and 4 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer 1

ANS: A
The indications for pulmonary function testing are:
? To identify and quantify changes in pulmonary function. The most common purposes of pulmo-nary function testing are to detect the presence or absence of pulmonary disease, to classify the type of disease as either obstructive or restrictive, and to quantify the severity of pulmonary im-pairment as mild, moderate, severe, or very severe. Over time pulmonary function tests help quantify the progress or the reversibility of the disease.
? To evaluate need and quantify therapeutic effectiveness. Pulmonary function tests may aid clini-cians in selecting or modifying a specific therapeutic regimen or technique (e.g., bronchodilator medication, airway clearance therapy, rehabilitation exercise protocol). Clinicians and researchers use pulmonary function tests to objectively measure changes in lung function before and after treatments.
? To perform epidemiologic surveillance for pulmonary disease. Screening programs may detect pulmonary abnormalities caused by disease or environmental factors in general populations, oc-cupational settings, smokers, or other high-risk groups. In addition, researchers have determined what normal pulmonary function is by measuring the pulmonary function of the healthy popula-tion.
? To assess patients for risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Preoperative testing can identify those patients who may have an increased risk of pulmonary complications after surgery. Sometimes the risk of complications can be reduced by preoperative respiratory care, and some-times the risk may be so significant to rule out surgery.
? To determine pulmonary disability. Pulmonary function tests can also determine the degree of disability caused by lung diseases, including occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis of coal workers. Some federal entitlement programs and insurance policies rely on pulmonary func-tion tests to confirm claims for financial compensation.