Review of Vital Lung Function

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Claire Hurlin looks at Rachel Booker's latest respiratory title

I enjoyed delving into the different layers of this book. It was easy to follow as it began with the more simple lung function tests and worked up to the more complicated tests.

This is a very comprehensive review of the management and assessment of lung function. The contents page allows the reader to access the specific area they wish to review in a quick and easy way. The book gives essential information that one needs to understand concerning the tests of lung function. The in depth information includes testing that can be done in primary care, leading up to tests that can only be done in secondary care or even specialist centres e.g. body plethysmography. However all health care professionals working in respiratory medicine should have an understanding of these tests as a patient may ask for information regarding them in any consultation.

In particular I liked the vital point blue boxes as it highlighted important issues to remember. On a quick scan of the book, the vital point boxes will immediately catch the eye and give the reader the necessary information for the test they are about to perform e.g. pulse oximetry.

The patient information leaflets are well written and give an excellent guide for professionals to check that they have the relevant information in their local service leaflets or allow them to use the ones provided in the book as the author has given permission for them to be copied. The supporting diagrams helps give a picture of what actually happens and helps to imagine what is actually happening to the lung when doing the tests and why we want to know the way our lungs work .

It goes in to detail about lung function and may unnerve some professionals who are starting out in the field of respiratory medicine but to them, I say, remember as you progress in the development of your respiratory knowledge this will be a book that will suit your needs and answer all your questions about lung function.