Incentive Spirometer Clinical Notes

Vocabulary and procedural steps for the use of an incentive spirometer based on lecture notes.

Incentive Spirometer

A device that motivates the patient to breathe deeply by offering the incentive of measuring progress and providing an observable indicator of how deep a breath is taken.

Fowler’s position

The specific position a client should be placed in before using an incentive spirometer.

Mouthpiece Seal

The technique where a patient places their lips tightly around the mouthpiece of the incentive spirometer.

Inhalation Phase

The step where the patient inhales slowly to provide an indicator of how deep a breath is taken.

Breath Hold Duration

The period of time, specifically $2-3$ seconds, that a patient should hold their breath after inhaling.

Pursed-lip Exhalation

The method of exhaling slowly after using the incentive spirometer.

Usage Frequency

The professional recommendation to repeat the incentive spirometer process $10\text{x}$ an hour or as ordered by a provider.