Original Research

Chest assessment and simple lung function tests

C. P. Rodseth
South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 36, No 4 | a1455 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v36i4.1455 | © 2020 C. P. Rodseth | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 13 January 2020 | Published: 31 December 1980

About the author(s)

C. P. Rodseth, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

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Abstract

The main elements of a chest assessment are outlined. Elementary measurements which should be taken by physiotherapists are described. Simple lung function tests which are within the capability of physiotherapists who are closely concerned with chest patients are explained in some detail. The tests concerned are: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec. and the ratio Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec./Forced Vital Capacity as a percentage. Four of the more advanced tests and their underlying concepts which are more the domain of special pulmonary testing laboratories are briefly described.

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