BODY PLETHYSMOGRAPHY

Pulmonary Function Tests: Spirometry | Body Plethysmography | Diffusion Studies


Image by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Body Plethysmography is a test to find out how much air is in your lungs after you take in a deep breath, and how much air is left in your lungs after breathing out as much as you can.

No matter how hard you try, you can never get all of the air out of your lungs. Measuring the total amount of air your lungs can hold and the amount of air left in your lungs after you breathe out gives your health care provider information about how well your lungs are working and helps guide them in your treatment.

This test requires that you sit in a glass box (like a telephone booth) that you can see through. You will be asked to wear a nose clip and you will be given instructions on how to breathe through a mouthpiece.

What should I know before doing a Plethysmography test?

  • If you are on oxygen, you will usually be asked to take off the oxygen during this test.
  • If you have difficulty with being in closed spaces (claustrophobia), mention this to your provider ordering the test. This will avoid any misunderstanding and discomfort to you.