Spirometry and FeNO

Your doctor has requested that you perform a breathing test to see how well your airways are functioning. You will be asked to breathe in and out of a machine called a Spirometer, which will measure the volume of air forcefully exhaled over a short period of time.

Also, you will be asked to blow softly into a FeNO machine to see if you have a certain type of airway inflammation. Both tests are non-invasive and you will be supervised and coached by a respiratory scientist during the test.

If possible, please DO NOT:

• use any asthma puffers or inhalers on the day of the test. If you are unable to go without your inhalers, please note the time(s) you used them and which inhaler(s) you used.
• Smoke on the day of testing
• Consume alcohol within 4 hours of your appointment
• Perform vigorous exercise within 30 minutes of the test
• Wear clothing that restricts your breathing

Please tell staff in the laboratory if you have recently experienced any of the following:

• Coughing up blood
• Collapsed lung
• An unstable heart condition
• A heart attack in the last month
• Blood clots in the lung
• Chest, stomach or brain aneurysms
• Recent eye surgery
• Recent chest or stomach surgery
• Chest or abdominal pain of any cause
• Nausea or vomiting

The tests take approximately 35 minutes.