Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
24/07/2026 12:31 AM AWST
24/07/2026 12:31 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Measure spirometry-flow volume loop
Measure spirometry-flow volume loop
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPAT414D
HLTPAT414D
State Code
WD252
WD252
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/07/2012
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
19/07/2012
Nominal Hours
50
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to prepare a client for measure of spirometry/flow volume loop, and to provide a report as an aid to the diagnosis and management of ventilatory impairment
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare spirometer and materials for use
- 1.1 Ensure materials and spirometer selected are clean and in working order
- 1.2 Conduct performance check of spirometer
2. Prepare client for procedure
- 2.1 Arrange client bookings according to organisation procedures
- 2.2 Receive and check request for spirometry measurement for background client information
- 2.3 Correctly identify client and reassure and inform the client regarding the procedure
- 2.4 Record and document client details
- 2.5 Assess client for contraindications for performing spirometry
- 2.6 Obtain clarification from requesting medical officer when necessary
- 2.7 Calculate reference values
- 2.8 Explain procedure clearly and simply and demonstrate to client
3. Perform spirometry
- 3.1 Initialise equipment to commence recording and record additional information
- 3.2 Coach client through procedure with the provision of continuous instruction, encouragement and reassurance
- 3.3 Assess client throughout the procedure for ability to continue
- 3.4 Identify recording as technically correct
- 3.5 Provide client with feedback on performance
- 3.6 Produce minimum of three technically correct recordings
- 3.7 Repeat spirometry as necessary to comply with current standards for reproducibility
- 3.8 Make technically acceptable measurements according to current standards
- 3.9 Select indices for report in accordance with current standards
- 3.10 Correctly assess the need for administration of a bronchodilator in accordance with current standards and medical officer request
- 3.11 Identify and respond to clinical emergencies in accordance with organisation emergency procedures
4. Repeat spirometry measurement
- 4.1 Following the administration of a bronchodilator by an authorised person, allow sufficient time for its peak effect before proceeding
- 4.2 Initialise equipment to commence recording and record additional information
- 4.3 Coach client through procedure with the provision of continuous instruction, encouragement and reassurance
- 4.4 Ensure recording is technically correct
- 4.5 Provide client with feedback on performance
- 4.6 Produce a minimum of three technically correct recordings
- 4.7 Repeat spirometry as necessary to comply with current standards for reproducibility
- 4.8 Make technically acceptable measurements according to current standards
- 4.9 Select indices for report in accordance with current standards
5. Complete spirometry measurement
- 5.1 Assist client as required on completion of procedure
- 5.2 Review follow up arrangements with client
- 5.3 Respond appropriately to client's questions
- 5.4 Dispose of or clean materials in accordance with organisation policies and procedures, and infection control guidelines
- 5.5 Clean, restock and store equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines
- 5.6 Complete report to technically acceptable standards and forward to physician for interpretation
- 5.7 Forward report and interpretation to requesting medical officer
- 5.8 Enter details of client and test completed on to database and/or hospital information system
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Spirometer type may be a self-contained device or may be connected to a computer and may include:
Rolling seal
Water seal
Bellows
Pneumotach
Turbine
Hot wire
Ultrasonic
Materials may include:
Bronchodilator
Delivery device
Tubing
Filters
Mouthpiece
Noseclip
Performance check must include:
Calibration
Quality control procedures, including use of physiological and physical standards
Clients may include:
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Inpatients/outpatients
Background client information may include:
Medical history
Co-morbidities
Need for use of additional precautions
Medications, particularly bronchodilator use
Use of bronchodilators for measurement
Contraindications
Client details may include:
Name
Medical record number
Date of birth
Height
Weight
Client symptoms including cough, wheeze, dyspnoea
Gender
Ethnic background
Workplace/ward/unit
Requesting physician
Contraindications may include:
Severe respiratory distress
Physical limitations
Cognitive impairment
Haemoptysis of unknown origin
Pneumothorax
Unstable cardiovascular status eg recent myocardial infarction
Acute thoracic, abdominal, or cerebral aneurysmata
Recent eye surgery
Acute disorders affecting test performance eg vomiting, nausea or fainting
Recent thoracic or abdominal surgical procedures
Additional information may include:
Room temperature
Barometric pressure
Humidity
Technically correct must include:
No hesitation at start ie extrapolated volume within standards
Evidence of maximal effort ie existing standards regarding time to PEF, reproducibility
No cough within first second
End of test criteria achieved
Reproducibility of FEV1, FVC&PEF,
Current standards include:
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ)
Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Scientists (ANZSRS)
American Thoracic Society (ATS)
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Clinical emergencies may include:
Severe respiratory distress
Cardio-respiratory arrest
Authorised person may include:
People authorised to administer bronchodilator according to relevant state/territory legislation relating to the administration of medication
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Spirometer type may be a self-contained device or may be connected to a computer and may include:
Rolling seal
Water seal
Bellows
Pneumotach
Turbine
Hot wire
Ultrasonic
Materials may include:
Bronchodilator
Delivery device
Tubing
Filters
Mouthpiece
Noseclip
Performance check must include:
Calibration
Quality control procedures, including use of physiological and physical standards
Clients may include:
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Inpatients/outpatients
Background client information may include:
Medical history
Co-morbidities
Need for use of additional precautions
Medications, particularly bronchodilator use
Use of bronchodilators for measurement
Contraindications
Client details may include:
Name
Medical record number
Date of birth
Height
Weight
Client symptoms including cough, wheeze, dyspnoea
Gender
Ethnic background
Workplace/ward/unit
Requesting physician
Contraindications may include:
Severe respiratory distress
Physical limitations
Cognitive impairment
Haemoptysis of unknown origin
Pneumothorax
Unstable cardiovascular status eg recent myocardial infarction
Acute thoracic, abdominal, or cerebral aneurysmata
Recent eye surgery
Acute disorders affecting test performance eg vomiting, nausea or fainting
Recent thoracic or abdominal surgical procedures
Additional information may include:
Room temperature
Barometric pressure
Humidity
Technically correct must include:
No hesitation at start ie extrapolated volume within standards
Evidence of maximal effort ie existing standards regarding time to PEF, reproducibility
No cough within first second
End of test criteria achieved
Reproducibility of FEV1, FVC&PEF,
Current standards include:
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ)
Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Scientists (ANZSRS)
American Thoracic Society (ATS)
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Clinical emergencies may include:
Severe respiratory distress
Cardio-respiratory arrest
Authorised person may include:
People authorised to administer bronchodilator according to relevant state/territory legislation relating to the administration of medication
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Method of assessment
Observation of work activities
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Log of assessment with tasks and milestones
Portfolio of tests performed
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Method of assessment
Observation of work activities
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Log of assessment with tasks and milestones
Portfolio of tests performed
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8413 | HLTPAT414C | Measure spirometry/flow volume loop | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA39 | HLTHPS004 | Measure spirometry | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J082 | HLT41812 | Certificate IV in Pathology | Qualification |