Getting children ready for spirometry – a guide for parents and carers

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Bring along any medicines your child is using, including inhalers (and any spacer device)

Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothing so they can take a deep breath during the test

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Before your testa – Follow the directions below to prepare for the spirometry test.
Health professional to tick all that apply

In the 36 hours before

In the 24 hours before

In the 4 hours before

In the 2 hours before

1 hour before

PP

🗸  Just before
Spirometry test

Your child should stop using their long-acting once-daily
preventer inhalerb 36 hours before the test
Inhaler  name.................................................................................................................................................................

Your child should stop using their long-acting twice-daily
preventer inhaler 24 hours before the test
Inhaler  name.................................................................................................................................................................

Your child should not use their short-acting reliever 4 hours before the test unless they need to for symptom control.
If they do, call the practice/clinic to discuss.
Inhaler  name.................................................................................................................................................................

Your child should not eat a large meal in the 2 hours before the test. They can drink liquids.

Make sure your child isn’t running around or doing other strenuous physical activity for at least 1 hour before
the test

Ensure your child goes to the toilet before the appointment

Use your MedicineWise app to remind your child when to stop using their inhalers. The app will also provide
a handy list of all their medicines for any future medical appointments.

a Inhaled bronchodilators are only withheld before spirometry when performed as a diagnostic test and not when performed to monitor asthma.
b Only for inhalers that contain a long-acting bronchodilator. Inhalers that only contain a corticosteroid do not need stopping.

Spirometry — what to expect

What is spirometry testing?

Spirometry is a test that uses a machine to measure how well a person’s lungs work. Spirometry is used to diagnose or assess asthma.
Many children aged 6 years or older are able to perform spirometry.
How can my child prepare?

It is a good idea to get your child to practice beforehand by blowing into balloons.
What happens during spirometry?

The appointment usually takes 30 minutes.
Your child will blow air into a mouthpiece attached to a small machine. They will be asked to do this several times to check that the readings are similar.

Don’t worry if they can’t do it on their first go. Your child may be asked to try again in the future.
What happens after spirometry?

Your child can return to their normal activities straight away and should go back to using their inhaler(s) as usual.
The doctor or nurse will discuss the results of the test with you. This may happen after the spirometry has been completed, or at a later appointment.

What else do I need to know?

Advise your doctor if your child has fever or flu-like symptoms. Spirometry is not difficult or painful but requires some effort for the long, big breath required.
Your child may feel tired or dizzy during, or shortly after, the test. This is normal.
The test may be rescheduled if your child has been sick, such as having a recent chest infection.
For more information

If you would like to find out more about spirometry, contact:
Asthma Australia 1800 ASTHMA
(1800 278 462) www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
National Asthma Council 03 9929 4333 www.nationalasthma.org.au
NPS MedicineWise Medicines Line 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424)
www.nps.org.au
Lung Foundation Australia
Information and Patient Support 1800 654 301 www.lungfoundation.com.au
Your child’s appointment

Date 	 Time 	 Location 	

Content based on the American Thoracic Society Standardization of Spirometry 2019 update.

nps.org.au
Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 PO Box 1147 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
02 8217 8700	02 9211 7578	info@nps.org.au

© 2020 NPS MedicineWise. Independent. Not-for-profit. Evidence-based. This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. ABN 61 082 034 393
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer. Updated January 2021.	NPS2279a