What test is most useful for the diagnosis of asthma in the symptom-free patient?
a. Arterial blood gases
b. Bronchoprovocation testing with pulmo-nary function tests
c. Chest radiograph
d. Ventilation-perfusion ratio () scans
ANS: B
Asthmatics evaluated in a symptom-free period may have a normal chest x-ray examination and normal pulmonary function tests. Under these circumstances, provocative testing can be used to induce airway obstruction. Bronchoprovocation is a well-established method to detect and quan-tify airway hyperresponsiveness.
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