| The patient |
| • |
Measure the subject’s standing height. |
| • |
Are there any contraindications
to performing the test? (for example: recent severe coronary
problems, abdominal or thoracic surgery, fractured ribs, lung
embolus, severe trauma). |
| • |
Are there any contraindications
to administering bronchodilators? |
| • |
Which drugs are being
used at the present, when were they last taken? |
| • |
Is the patient naïve
to the test or experienced? |
| |
· |
Explain the procedure carefully and demonstrate
the maneuvers. |
| |
· |
Let naïve patients perform at least two test maneuvers
and explain to them how these can be improved. |
| |
· |
See to it that the patient’s trunk and neck remain erect
during the maneuvers, the patient looking straight forward during
the entire test without bending over (the latter not only affects
the way the trachea is stretched,
but may also lead to saliva dripping into the equipment). |