top of page

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Pulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. This includes how well you’re able to breathe and how effectively your lungs are able to bring oxygen to the rest of your body.

 

Would you benefit from having a breathing or allergy test?

 

Talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following: 

 

  • New or severe breathlessness?

  • Frequent chest infections?

  • Persistent or an unchanged cough?

  • Chest pain, unexplained fatigue or have had sudden weight loss?

  • Have you smoked or currently smoking? 

  • Do you need testing to rule out an allergy causing your asthma flare ups?

  • Exercise induced wheeze/breathlessness

A doctor telling patients how to use an asthma inhaler

What to bring to your appointment

 

  • Your GP or specialist referral

  • Invoicing information if referred by a 3rd party

  • A current medication list and any allergies that
    you may have

  • Medicare Card

  • Pension or Concession Card if you have one

  • Veterans Affairs (DVA) Card if you have one

 

Lung function preparation instructions

 

All patients are asked to refrain from the following before their test:

 

  • Smoking on day of test (or at least 1 hour)

  • Performing vigorous exercise (1 hour)

  • Consuming alcohol or caffeinated drinks (4 hours)

  • Using short-acting bronchodilators (e.g. Ventolin, Bricanyl) (8hours)

Medications - Time to Withhold before your test

Image by Sincerely Media
Allergies and how they affect breathing

Your guide to mine dust lung diseases in Queensland

bottom of page