Articles
Asthma: Steps in testing and diagnosis
Medical history
Tests
Additional tests: Ruling out conditions other than asthma
Symptoms and medical history
Physical exam
Lung function tests
Spirometry
Content
Challenge test
FeNO test
Other tests
Trial treatment
Severity of asthma
Tests
Additional tests: Ruling out conditions other than asthma
Symptoms and medical history
Physical exam
Lung function tests
Spirometry
Content
Challenge test
FeNO test
Other tests
Trial treatment
Severity of asthma
Challenge test
This test may be used when symptoms suggest asthma, but spirometry test results don't support a diagnosis.
With a challenge test, a spirometry test is done after exposure to something that can trigger an asthma attack. The spirometry test is then repeated to see if there is improvement after taking a quick-acting asthma medicine to open the airways. The results can help confirm a diagnosis of asthma.
A challenge test may be done with:
- An inhaled medicine.
- Exercise.
