Incentive spirometer

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An incentive spirometer - the inhalation nozzle is towards the camera, the curved plastic on the left is a handle, the plunger is in the middle (along with an adjustable mark to indicate a goal) and on the right side is an indicator showing whether the patient is inhaling too rapidly
An incentive spirometer - the inhalation nozzle is towards the camera, the curved plastic on the left is a handle, the plunger is in the middle (along with an adjustable mark to indicate a goal) and on the right side is an indicator showing whether the patient is inhaling too rapidly

An incentive spirometer is a medical device used to help patients improve the functioning of their lungs. It is provided to patients who have had any surgery that might jeopardize respiratory function, particularly surgery to the lungs themselves,[1] but also commonly to patients recovering from cardiac or other surgery involving extended time under anesthesia and prolonged in-bed recovery.

The patient breathes in from the device as slowly and as deeply as possible. An indicator provides a gauge of how well the patient's lung or lungs are functioning. The patient is generally asked to do many repetitions a day while measuring his or her progress by way of the gauge.

[edit] See also

  • Spirometer, a device for measuring lung capacity.

[edit] References

  1. ^ How to use an incentive spirometer. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Retrieved on 2006-11-23.


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