Making Sense of Lung Function Tests: A hands-on guide

Respiratory problems are the most common cause of acute admission to hospital. A variety of diagnostic investigations are required, both for acute and clinic assessment. Making Sense of Lung Function Tests, Second Edition familiarises both trainees and more experienced clinicians with the interpretation of a range of respiratory parameters. It places lung function in a clinical context using real-life examples and provides invaluable hands-on guidance.

For this second edition Consultant Respiratory Physician Jonathan Dakin and Consultant Anaesthetist Elena Kourteli are joined by Mark Mottershaw, Chief Respiratory Physiologist from Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, all contributing a broad range of expertise and perspectives. Together they have updated the book throughout and added new chapters including an algorithm for interpretation of pulmonary function tests, exhaled nitric oxide (FE_NO) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

The text offers a clear explanation of the concepts which students find difficult, including:

• The basis of obstructive and restrictive defects
• Pattern recognition of the flow volume loop
• Differences between TL_CO and K_CO
• Assessment of oxygenation using PO₂ and SO₂
• The basis of Type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure
• Distinguishing respiratory and metabolic acidosis
• The relationship between sleep and respiratory failure

The information is presented in an accessible way, suitable for those seeking a basic grounding in spirometry or blood gases, but also sufficiently comprehensive for readers completing specialist training in general or respiratory medicine.