Spirometry is measured by having your child place padded nose clips on his or her nose and place their mouth around a clean, filtered mouthpiece.

After breathing normally your child will be asked by the therapist to breathe in deeply and then blast out the air, as hard and fast and long as possible.

The therapist will have your child repeat the test until we have at least three consistent tests.

Depending on the results your child may repeat the test 15 minutes after an inhaled medication is administered.

The actual test takes only a few minutes. However, with explanation and practice testing may take up to 40 minutes.

If at all possible, your child should not use any short-acting asthma medications / bronchodilators for four hours prior to testing.

If you have any questions about which medications to hold, check with your child's physician or call the pulmonary function lab at 513-636-8049.