Respiratory Tests

For Patients

Select tests available at New Plymouth and Rotorua clinics

Respiratory tests are essential when assessing a patient’s lung function by measuring key aspects of breathing, including air volume, airflow speed, and gas exchange efficiency. These tests help diagnose conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis.

Sleep Study Tests Available

Level 2 Sleep Study

Conducted in the comfort of your home, this study measures breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and muscle activity, helping diagnose sleep disorders and determine effective treatment strategies.

Level 3 Sleep Study

A home-based study which is focused on detecting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) or Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)

Level 4 Sleep Study

Level four is the most basic type of sleep study, looking at oxygen saturation levels during sleep.

How the Process Works

Sleep Assessment

Text: During the 30-minute consultation, our sleep clinicians will discuss the sleep-related issues you’re experiencing. After you complete the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire, we’ll provide you with a sleep monitor to conduct a Level 3 sleep study. This study will offer detailed diagnostic insights to help identify sleep apnoea and determine its severity.

Treatment

Treatment options might include:

CPAP (Positive Airway Pressure) therapy
Nasal EPAP
Referral to an ENT surgeon
Weight management

Long term therapy and support

CPAP therapy can be challenging, but a comfortable mask and quality equipment make a big difference. As a ResMed preferred supplier, X stocks a full range of CPAP products and offers mask fittings to help you find the right fit.
We provide extra support, including rental packages (short or long-term), ongoing monitoring, annual data checks, and reviews. Disability allowance support may be available for those on limited incomes.

Respiratory Test FAQ’s

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Why do you need a respiratory test?

There are many different reasons to get a lung function test.

Some of the common reasons include:

To diagnose the cause of a cough or shortness of breath
To evaluate and monitor lung conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
As a general check-up for lung health especially if you have had exposure to cigarette smoke or other hazardous chemicals
Perioperative testing – to assess your breathing before a major operation

What are the risks of a respiratory test?

The Lung function test is a non-invasive procedure. To achieve accurate results, the test requires maximum effort from you to breathe in and out, which means you may feel tired after testing.

Very rarely, spirometry can cause breathing problems. These are easily treated with an inhaled bronchodilator to open the airways. This test should not be performed if there is a history of angina, a recent history of surgery, eye injuries or serious heart disease.

Please contact us if you have any concerns.

What can you expect during a respiratory test?

You will be required to breathe into a mouthpiece which is connected to a machine via some tubing. The technician will direct you to breathe in as deeply as you can, and then out as fast and as forcefully as possible.

The test may make you feel temporarily short of breath.

What should you do during a respiratory test?

A respiratory test takes approximately 30 minutes.

We suggest wearing loose clothing as tight clothing may restrict your breathing.

Please remember to keep your dentures in, wearing them to the test will make sure your mouth can fit tightly around the mouthpiece.

Please bring any medications especially any respiratory inhalers (puffers) with you to your appointment. This may be required for testing the effectiveness of your current medication.

What should you not do during a respiratory test?

Please avoid the following;

Avoid drinking beverages containing caffeine 3 hours before your test (including Tea/Coffee/Cola/Energy drinks)
Avoid a heavy meal for at least 3 hours before your test
Avoid smoking 3 hours before the test
Avoid strenuous exercise 3 hours before the test

Avoid taking the following medication;

Ventolin, Asmol, Bricanyl, Bretaris, Brezhaer for 4 hours prior to test
Spiriva, Atrovent, and Onbrez for 6 hours
Pulmicort, Serevent, Symbicort, Seretide, Flixotide, Oxis, Alvesco, Salmeterol, Beclomethasone, Flutiform, Breo – Ellipta for 12 hours before the test.

What happens after a respiratory test?

The results of the test will be made available to your referring health provider.