22nd September 2008
American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
Read Guideline,

DISEASE/CONDITION(S)

• Pulmonary diseases, including cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, wheezing illnesses
• Any disease or condition requiring pulmonary function tests
  
  GUIDELINE CATEGORY
  Diagnosis
  Evaluation
  
  CLINICAL SPECIALTY
  Pediatrics
  Pulmonary Medicine
  
  INTENDED USERS
  Advanced Practice Nurses
  Nurses
  Physician Assistants
  Physicians
  Respiratory Care Practitioners
  
  GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S)
  
  • To improve the consistency and appropriateness of respiratory care and serve as a guide for education and research
  • To provide clinical practice guidelines on the use of infant/toddler pulmonary function tests (ITPFTs)
  
  
  TARGET POPULATION
  Infants and toddlers undergoing pulmonary function tests
  
  INTERVENTIONS AND PRACTICES CONSIDERED
  
  1. Infant/toddler pulmonary function test (ITPFT) including
  • Passive respiratory mechanics
  • Dynamic respiratory mechanics
  • Tidal breathing measurements
  • Partial expiratory flow-volume curves
  • Raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique
  • Whole-body plethysmography
  • Gas dilution techniques
  • Forced deflation technique in intubated subjects
  • Forced oscillation and interrupter resistance (consensus not available)
  1. Assessment of need
  2. Assessment of outcome and test quality
  3. Resources (equipment and personnel)
  4. Monitoring
  5. Frequency of ITPFT
  6. Infection control
  
  
  MAJOR OUTCOMES CONSIDERED
  Hazards and complications of infant/toddler pulmonary function tests (ITPFTs) Limitations and validity/accuracy of ITPFT methodology