Clinical assessment of respiratory impairment.

"Respiratory impairment" can be assessed roughly by clinical methods (symptom information and physical examination) and a simple bedside test ('match test'), and quantitatively and accurately by laboratory pulmonary function study (spirometry, arterial blood gas analysis and several other sophisticated tests). Whereas tests of respiratory impairment in a laboratory situation can predict dysfunction level reasonably well, a complete description of the function will depend in part on judgement, and in part on the motivation and attitude of the individual. Subject participation is an integral part of all evaluations.