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Diagnosis
- Obtaining and analyzing sputum and breath specimens. They also take blood specimens and analyze them to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
- Interpreting the data obtained from these specimens.
- Measuring the capacity of a patient's lungs to determine if there is impaired function.
- Performing stress tests and other studies of the cardiopulmonary system.
- Studying disorders of people with disruptive sleep patterns.
Treatment
- Operating and maintaining various types of highly sophisticated equipment to administer oxygen or to assist with breathing.
- Employing mechanical ventilation for treating patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own.
- Monitoring and managing therapy that will help a patient recover lung function.
- Administering medications in aerosol form to help alleviate breathing problems and to help prevent respiratory infections.
- Monitoring equipment and patient responses to therapy.
- Conducting rehabilitation activities, such as low-impact aerobic exercise classes, to help patients who suffer from chronic lung problems.
- Maintaining a patient's artificial airway, one that may be in place to help the patient who can't breathe through normal means.
- Conducting smoking cessation programs for both hospital patients and others in the community who want to kick the tobacco habit.
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