Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam 2025 – Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Spirometry is the most commonly used test for assessing pulmonary function because it measures the volume of air that a person can inhale and exhale, as well as the speed of these airflows. It provides valuable information about how well the lungs are working, which is essential for diagnosing and monitoring various respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and restrictive lung diseases.

Spirometry is widely utilized due to its ease of use, minimal discomfort for the patient, and the immediate availability of results, which helps healthcare providers make timely decisions regarding treatment and management. The test can be performed in a variety of settings, from hospitals to primary care offices, making it accessible for routine evaluations of lung function.

While lung volume measurements, diffusion capacity tests, and pulse oximetry each provide important aspects of pulmonary assessment, they are not as broadly used as spirometry for initial evaluations due to their more specialized applications and the need for specific circumstances or equipment to perform them.