incentive spirometer: use and patient teaching

week 2 video: using an incentive spirometer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=BkzMlstV2mpK214C&v=QhS3gMHi82g&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=NursingEducation)

incentive spirometer purpose

• prescribed for patients that suffer from or at risk of developing pulmonary atelectasis

• promote or maintain lung function

commonly used by patients w/

• abdominal or thoracic surgery

• COPD

• respiratory disease

  • pneumonia

  • emphysema

  • bronchitis

  • COVID-19

• neuromuscular disease

• spinal cord injury

• prolonged bedrest

• uncontrolled pain

incentive spirometer components

• mouth piece

• handle (left side)

• cylinder (in the middle/base of device)

• movable arrow marking (on the cylinder)

• small blue tab encased in a column (right side)

mouth piece

• attached to a flexible and posable straw

• attach it to the spirometer by pushing the open end onto the protruding cylinder at the bottom of the spirometer

handle (left side)

for the patient to hold onto when breathing

cylinder (in the middle/base of the device)

• use to measure the volume of the breaths

• markings indicate how many mL of air have been inhaled into the lungs

small blue tab encased in a column (right side)

• markings on column show the pt where they should keep the tab floating during inspiration

• helps pt maintain a slow and steady inspiration

  • if pt inspires too fast → blue tab will float above the indicated arrow

  • if pt inspires too slowly → blue tab will float below the indicated arrow

movable arrow marking (on the cylinder)

can be moved into position to designate a goal volume

role of RN

• provide spirometer

• train patients on how to use it properly

  • have them demonstrate proper use

• teach them why they are using it + remind about the importance

• track volumes to help patient + physicians see improvement

  • package usually has a volume log

• ask regularly about spirometer use

  • common for patients to avoid use d/t pain of breathing deeply

• follow up and encourage continued use of device

  • should be used by ONE pt only and sent home w/ pt upon discharge

incentive spirometer use steps

Steps for ONE breath:

1. sit up straight

   • good position to aid in lung inflation

   • for patients who have recently gotten abdominal surgery → use a pillow and hold it tightly against the stomach to ease discomfort

2. exhale to empty the lungs

3. mouth should seal over the mouthpiece

4. slowly inhale until no more air can be taken in

   • while inhaling, float the tab on the right of the device between the indicator arrows → indicates that they are inhaling at a slow and steady rate

5. hold breath for 5 seconds or for as long as it takes for the blue plunger to drop back to the bottom of the device

6. slowly exhale

how often should the patient use the incentive spirometer?

• at least 10 breaths per hour unless otherwise ordered

  • do not have to be 10 consecutive breaths → can cause patient to become light-headed

• if watching tv, recommended that patient should do 2-3 breaths during each commercial break