How to Take a Spirometry Test

Medically reviewed by Janice Litza, MD

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 Approved

There are several reasons why you might need to take a spirometry test, including diagnosing a lung condition, measuring changes in lung function, or monitoring progress or effectiveness of medications. A medical professional will familiarize you with the equipment and procedures at the office, clinic, or hospital where you are taking the test. ^{[1]
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American Lung Association
Nonprofit health organization dedicated to improving lung health through education, advocacy, and research
Go to source} With some preparation and relaxation on your part, this simple pulmonary function test can be quick (about 45 minutes) and painless.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing for the Test

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Avoid activities which might affect your normal lung function. To ensure accurate results, you need to take the following precautions in the hours leading up to the test ^{[2]
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- Ask your healthcare provider which medications you should avoid on the day of the test.
- Do not smoke within 24 hours of the test.
- Do not drink alcohol within 4 hours of the test.
- Do not exercise strenuously within 30 minutes of the test.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to breathe easily.
- Do not eat a heavy meal within two hours of the test.
A history of smoking, chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are a few of the symptoms that are important for the medical staff to consider as they analyze your spirometry test results. ^{[4]
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They may show you one or more breathing techniques that you will use during the test. Pay attention to the type of breaths they take and be ready to try them yourself. ^{[5]
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Practicing with the Spirometer

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This clip closes your nostrils, ensuring that all of the air you expel during the test will exit through your mouth to be measured by the spirometer. ^{[6]
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A tight seal is necessary to prevent air leakage.It is important that all the air you are about to exhale goes into the spirometer for accurate measurements. ^{[7]
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Your lungs should feel filled to their maximum. ^{[8]
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Think of this as trying to get all of your air out as quickly as possible. It is important that you exhale quickly for an accurate measurement of the volume you can expel within the first second. ^{[9]
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Your lungs and throat should feel empty. It is important that you discharge all the air for an accurate measurement of how much you exhaled in one entire breath. ^{[10]
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American Lung Association
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The test can make you feel lightheaded, so make sure to breathe evenly when appropriate to prevent dizziness. ^{[11]
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Taking the Test

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Although breathing this way may feel unnatural, this pattern allows the spirometer to measure pulmonary functions such as lung capacity and airflow.
You might need to increase your inhalation, the speed of your exhalation, or the duration of your exhalation for the next attempt.
Multiple measurements give you a chance to correct performance errors, and provide the necessary data for the test results. ^{[12]
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Receiving the Results

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The medical professional who administered the test may not be able to give you the results right away. It depends on the type of medical professional who is administering the test. You may have to wait to speak with your doctor about the results after they’ve been reviewed by a specialist. ^{[13]
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Your height, weight, age, and sex are some of the variables the specialist considered when comparing your test results against the standard measurements. Your doctor should be able to answer questions about how these variables factored into their diagnosis. ^{[14]
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Diagnoses may include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, ^{[15]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Can being sick affect your results?

Janice Litza, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Litza is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician based in Racine, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. Dr. Litza received her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and has completed additional fellowship training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.

Janice Litza, MD

Board Certified Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Yes, you should be in your usual state of health when doing the spirometry testing because it is either establishing a baseline or monitoring for changes.

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Ask questions before and after your attempts to clarify anything you don’t understand.

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Remember to relax; you’re just breathing, which you do every minute of each day.

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Warnings

The test may cause shortness of breath.

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Report any head, chest or abdominal pain immediately. ^{[17]
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Let the test administrator know if you have the cold or the flu, as you may need to reschedule the test. ^{[18]
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How to Take a Spirometry Test

Steps

Preparing for the Test

Practicing with the Spirometer

Taking the Test

Receiving the Results

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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