Test Preparation

Most respiratory and sleep tests require some degree of patient preparation, which may include discontinuing certain medications, wearing appropriate clothing, etc. It is important for patients to read and follow the preparation instructions to ensure accurate diagnosis and ease of testing. For concerns regarding discontinuation of any medication, please discuss with your GP or telephone Sleep WA at 1300 570 700.

We have summarised some of the pre-test requirements below for the majority of our tests.  Please click on the test you are interested in, or have been booked for to find out what’s required leading up to that test.

Home sleep studies monitor the same physiologic data as an inpatient (laboratory) sleep study but the patient is allowed to sleep in the comfort of the home. Appointments for home based sleep studies take one hour. The patient arrives to a Sleep WA clinic site in the afternoon and a qualified sleep technologist attaches all sensors. The sensors are worn home and returned the next day.

To prepare for a home sleep study, arrive to your appointment wearing clothes suitable for sleeping. A loose fitting t-shirt or pajamas work well, as once the monitors and wires are fitted, clothing on the upper body cannot be removed. For those who sleep bare chested, the technologist can attach belts and other equipment to the bare chest. A button-up/zip-up top (nothing with a tight neck) may be used to cover the monitoring equipment whilst traveling home.

Arrive at the appointment with clean hair and skin. Do not apply excessive creams, make-up or oils to the skin. Men who do not usually keep facial hair must be cleanly shaven, especially around the chin and jaw line area. (Stubble prevents proper attachment of the sensors.) Ladies wearing nail polish or acrylic/artificial nails will need to have one fingernail natural (either index, middle or ring finger) so that an oxygen monitoring probe may be placed on that finger.

The sleep sensor wires are thin and flexible and bundled together to minimize discomfort. An individual is able to walk, drive home, eat dinner, use the toilet, and roll in any direction whilst sleeping. One cannot shower, bathe, or engage in strenuous activity such as exercise. There are no restrictions on eating or drinking (this includes no restriction on alcohol if this is part of one’s normal bedtime routine).

In the morning after the study, the sleep monitoring equipment is removed by the patient and returned to the Sleep WA clinic site. Return of the equipment may include recording of blood pressure and a nasal resistance test.

Laboratory sleep studies are conducted in a private room in hospital with overnight supervision by a sleep technologist. A patient typically arrives to the hospital around 7pm in the evening and is released around 7am the next morning. Patients should bring their regular bedtime medication or take this medication prior to arriving to the hospital. If so desired, snacks, reading material, laptop computers, or personalised bedding (such as a pillow) may be brought to the study.

Arrive at the hospital with clothes suitable for sleeping. Hair and skin should be clean. Do not apply excessive creams, make-up or oils to the skin. Men who do not usually keep facial hair must be cleanly shaven, especially around the chin and jaw line area. (Stubble prevents proper attachment of sleep sensors.) Ladies wearing nail polish or acrylic/artificial nails will need to have least one fingernail natural (either index, middle or ring finger) so that an oxygen monitoring probe may be placed on that finger. Mobile phones must be turned off during the night.

If you are currently using CPAP to treat obstructive sleep apnoea, please bring your CPAP machine and CPAP mask to the inpatient sleep study.

Spirometry is a breathing test that measures how much air a person can breathe out (after taking a deep breath in), as well as how quickly a person can breathe air out of the lungs. To prepare for this test, avoid smoking on the day of the test. Avoid short-acting bronchodilators (Ventolin, Bricanyl, Atrovent, etc) for 8 hours and long-acting bronchodilators (Oxis, Serevent, Symbicort, Theophylline, Seretide etc) for 24 hours prior to testing. Spirometry takes about 20 minutes.

Lung Function Tests are a series of breathing tests. As with spirometry, avoid smoking on the day of the test. Avoid short-acting bronchodilators (Ventolin, Bricanyl, Atrovent, etc) for 8 hours and long-acting bronchodilators (Oxis, Serevent, Symbicort, Theophylline, Seretide etc) for 24 hours prior to testing. Comprehensive lung function testing takes about one hour.

The oxygen therapy assessment determines whether a person needs oxygen at home. A person walks for six minutes along a corridor whilst oxygen is measured by a probe worn on the finger. To prepare for this test, wear clothing and footwear designed for walking. Ladies wearing nail polish or acrylic/artificial nails will need to have least one finger nail natural so that the finger probe can accurately measure oxygen levels. The appointment for this test takes about 30 minutes.

Nasal resistance testing identifies airway resistance in the nose and helps determine if nasal blockage is contributing to snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. It also helps determine if a patient will be able to tolerate a nasal CPAP mask. During this test, a person breathes normally through the nose while a rounded tube sits gently at the base of the nose and evaluates nasal blockages. In preparation for this test, avoid over-the-counter and prescription nasal sprays (decongestants) on the day of the test. An appointment for this test takes less than 30 minutes.

Skin tests involve placing small amounts of allergens on the skin of the arm to check for allergies. Certain medications used to treat allergies may interfere with this test and the following medications should be ceased prior to the test:

Cease conventional anti-histamines for 5 days prior to the test:

  • Atarax (Hydrocine)
  • Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
  • Demazin (Dexchlorpheniramine)
  • Fabahistin (Mebhydrolin)
  • Periactin (Cyproheptadine)
  • Piriton (Chlorpheniramine)
  • Teldane (Terfenadine)
  • Zadine (Azatadine)
  • Avil (Pheniramine)
  • Claratyne (Loratadine)
  • Dilosyn (Methdilazine)
  • Hisalert (Diphenylpyraline)
  • Phenergen (Promethazine)
  • Polaramine (Dexchlorpheniramine)
  • Vallergan (Trimeprazine)
  • Zyrtec (Cetirizin)

Cease long-acting anti-histamines for at least 3 weeks prior to the test:

  • Hisminal (Astemizole)

Cease topical steroids on the skin test site for at least 2-3 weeks prior to the test.

Cease tricyclic anti-depressants such as Doxepin for at least 7 days before skin testing.

If you need to take any of the above listed medications or are unsure about any medication that you are taking, please telephone Sleep WA at 1300 570 700.

The flight altitude simulation test identifies the need for in-flight oxygen during international and domestic flights. A person wears a breathing mask that contains the same (reduced) level of oxygen as an aircraft cabin at high altitudes. Whilst a person breathes the reduced oxygen mixture, blood oxygen levels are measured to ensure that oxygen levels remain adequate. At times during the test, a person is required to move up and down a step to simulate moving around in the airplane cabin. To prepare for this test, dress comfortably with appropriate walking shoes. This test takes about 45 minutes.

The mannitol challenge is a breathing test to check for asthma. Spirometry (a type of breathing test) is performed as part of this assessment. Many drugs used to treat asthma and allergies interfere with this test and the following medications should be ceased prior to this test.

If you need to take any of the listed medications or are unsure about any medication that you are taking, please discuss with your GP or telephone Sleep WA at 1300 570 700.

Cease the following medications for 96 hours (4 days) prior to the test:
  • Accolate
  • Singulair
Cease the following medications for 72 hours (3 days) prior to the test:
  • Avil
  • Fenamine
  • Phenergan
  • Spiriva
  • Zadine
  • Flu tablets
  • Cough tablets
  • Dilosyn
  • Periactin
  • Polarmine
  • Vallergan
  • Zyrtec
  • Cold tablets
  • Anti-histamine elixirs
Cease the following medications for 12 hours prior to the test:
  • Atrovent
  • Atrovent Forte
  • Flixotide
  • Qvar
  • Atrovent Autohaler
  • Cromese
  • Pulmicort
Cease the following medications for 8 hours prior to the test:
  • Airomir
  • Asmol
  • Butamol
  • Epaq
  • Intal Forte
  • Ventolin
  • Alupent
  • Bricanyl Turbuhaler
  • Combivent
  • Intal
  • Tilade
On the day of the test:

Avoid caffeine on the day of the test, to include coffee, tea, cola drinks, energy drinks and chocolate.
Avoid smoking for at least 6 hours prior to the test.
Avoid vigorous exercise on the day of the test.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A positive result from mannitol may cause symptoms of chest tightness, cough and wheezing. Therefore, patients are advised to organise alternative transport to and from the test. The mannitol challenge takes about one hour.