Home Lung Function Test

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What Affects the Test

The accuracy of peak flow monitoring depends on your effort during the test. Results will be inaccurate if you do not follow directions or do not give your best effort during testing. The following factors also may affect the results of peak flow monitoring:

  • Using medicine that expands the airways in the lungs within 4 hours before the test may improve the test results.
  • Using sedatives before the test may worsen test results.
  • People who have pain while breathing may not be able to breathe normally. Therefore, the results of their tests may be misleading.

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Author: Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Last Updated: December 2, 2008
Medical Review: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Mark A. Rasmus, MD - Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
 How To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
Arrow PointerWhat Affects the Test
 What To Think About
 References
 Credits