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# Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) This document describes the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) test. **Key Points:** * **Most common test:** The FVC test is a common method to assess pulmonary mechanics. * **FVC Maneuver:** Measurements are taken while the patient performs the FVC maneuver. * **Patient Pr...

# Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) This document describes the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) test. **Key Points:** * **Most common test:** The FVC test is a common method to assess pulmonary mechanics. * **FVC Maneuver:** Measurements are taken while the patient performs the FVC maneuver. * **Patient Preparation:** Patients should abstain from bronchodilators (like albuterol) and anticholinergics (like ipratropium bromide) for at least 4 hours before the test. Educate the patient on sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system effects. * **Effort-Dependent:** The FVC test is an effort-dependent maneuver, so accurate results require patient cooperation and making sure the patient understands the instructions. * **Multiple Trials:** At least three acceptable FVC maneuvers are required to ensure validity. * **Reliability:** The largest and second largest FVC values should not vary by more than 0.15 liters (or 150 ml) to provide reliable results. A different trial may show the highest FEV1 value.