Incentive Spirometer
Introduction
At community pharmacy, you may see some customers come to purchase incentive spirometer for patients after surgery or a lung illness.
Incentive spirometry is performed using devices which provide visual cues to the patients that the desired flow or volume has been achieved.
- The purpose is to facilitate a sustained slow deep breath.
How to Use
Guidelines on Appropriate Use
Patient should be in a relaxed position suitable for deep breathing (e.g. sitting upright in a chair or side lying if extra volume is required in long due to ventilation perfusion matching). Hold the incentive spirometer in an upright position.
Patients creates a tight seal around the mouthpiece and inhales deeply and slowly. The patient watches the flow meter for visual feedback. If possible, the patient sustains the inhalation to create an end-inspiratory hold (at least for 5 seconds or as long as possible).
Patient relaxes around the mouthpiece and exhales; normal breathing is resumed with relaxed shoulder girdle.
Advise patient to take approximately 10 incentive spirometry breaths per waking hour. After each set of 10 deep breaths, cough to cleanse your lungs of any fluid build-up.
NOTE: If you feel dizzy at any time, stop and rest.
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