What is one function of pulmonary function testing?

One function of pulmonary function testing is to evaluate treatment effectiveness in lung diseases. This is significant because pulmonary function tests (PFTs) provide quantitative measurements of lung volumes, capacities, flow rates, and diffusion capacity. These metrics can help healthcare providers determine how well a patient's lungs are functioning before and after implementing a treatment plan, such as bronchodilator therapy or corticosteroids. By comparing pre- and post-treatment PFT results, clinicians can assess whether a specific intervention has led to improvements in lung function, thus guiding further management of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, or restrictive lung diseases. This information is crucial for tailoring ongoing treatment strategies to individual patient needs.