Chapter 50, Pulmonary Function, discusses the respiratory system, pulmonary function, and disorders. The medical assistant will have a responsibility to perform different pulmonary function tests. These tests include spirometry, arterial blood gases, lung volumes, pulse oximetry, peak flow meter and diffusion capacity. PFTs are used to measure how well the patients lungs work. The test determine how well they breath and how well their body supplies oxygen to the rest of their body. After performing these test, the results are recorded on special paper and read by a specialist. All of these tests are used to determine the patient’s pulmonary health and treatment. Treatments may include nebulizers or inhalers. Both deliver medication to the patient to help with their pulmonary disorder. The MA must know how to perform these test and provide the physician with the best data to make their diagnosis and treatment plan. PFTs are another clinical duty a medical assistant is responsible for. This chapter helped to understand pulmonary function and the different test performed within the office.
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