Learning points
- Inducible spirometry can
encourage maximal inspiration
, increase lung capacity, help the lungs expand, make it easier to cough up sputum, and prevent lung collapse.
- When you return to the ward after surgery, practice on the
Incentive spirometer
begins the next day.
- When using the arousal meter, inhale as slowly as possible, and
The height of the piston indicates your inspired volume.
- If your physical condition permits, please take out the
Incentive spirometer
and practice at any time when you are awake. You can do it 10-20 times an hour.
- After using the
Incentive spirometer, the mouthpiece needs to be cleaned and dried, and kept properly for next use.
I. The purpose of using an incentive spirometer?
Muscles and bones at the surgical site will be injured, causing pain at the surgical site, and resulting in decreased lung capacity after surgery. Many complications, such as pneumonia, increased sputum volume, reduced air capacity in the lungs, and the inability of the remaining healthy lungs to maintain regular operations. To improve the above situation, it is necessary to perform proper breathing training.
Incentive spirometer can help you
encourage maximal inspiration
, increase lung capacity, help to expand lungs, make sputum easier to cough up, prevent lung collapse, and allow for faster recovery after surgery.
II. Instruction
- Try to sit upright if possible and remain ensure a comfortable position.
- Hold the incentive spirometer in the palm of your hand and keep it perpendicular to the front.
- Slide the volume indicator to the prescribed level. For example: 1500ml (When inhaling, the top of the piston rises to 1500ml, which indicates the amount of inhalation)
- Place the mouthpiece of the incentive spirometer in the mouth and exhale slowly until the lungs are emptied of air.
At the end of exhalation, tightly wrap the mouthpiece of the incentive spirometer with your lips, and do not leak air.
- Inhale as slowly and deeply as possible. When the slow inhalation is in progress, keep the flow rate indicator at the Best range. The upward movement of the piston represents the total amount of inhalation, and the flow rate indicator represents the degree of effort during inhalation.
- Continue inhaling while the piston rises upwards.Hold your breath for 3–5 seconds before allowing the piston to return.
- Lift the mouthpiece away from your lips and exhale slowly, allowing the piston to return to the bottom.
-
After resting for a few seconds, repeat Steps 3–10.Adjust the incentive spirometer according to the patient's condition.
III. Precautions
- When you return to the ward after surgery, you will start practicing the incentive spirometer the next day.
- Use the incentive spirometer to practice deep breathing after surgery, and adjust the volume index according to individual conditions.
- If the flow rate index is still unable to reach the Best range after practicing many times after surgery, at least try to achieve the set volume index (eg 1500ml).
- If your physical condition permits, please take out the incentive spirometer for practice at any time when you are awake, and you can do it 10-20 times an hour.
- If there is moisture in the induced lung meter after use, please place it in a ventilated place and use it after drying, so as not to affect the piston.
- After each use, please clean and dry the mouthpiece, and keep it properly for the next use.
IV. Conclusions
Practicing the use of the "
Incentive spirometer
" before the operation, so that you can become more familiar with the operation method. Daily breathing training after the operation can help the function of the lungs recover as soon as possible, making the lungs more and more healthy.
V. Reference
- Ababneh, Q.M., Abdelrahman, H., & Abdelhameed, M.E. (2025). Effectiveness of Incentive Spirometry Versus Deep Breathing Exercises in Preventing Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Abdominal Surgery: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus, 17(3), 80149.https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.80149
- Chang, P.C., Chen, P.H., Chang, T.H., Chen, K.H., Jhou, H.J., Chou, S.H., & Chang, T.W. (2023). Incentive spirometry is an effective strategy to improve the quality of postoperative care in patients. Asian Journal of Surgery, 46(9), 3397–3404.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asjsur.2022.11.030
- Liang, Y., Chen, S., Song, J., Deng, T., Yang, J., Long, Y., Suen, L. K. P., & Luo, X. (2024). The effect of incentive spirometry in perioperative patients with lung cancer-a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC pulmonary medicine, 24(1), 88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-024-02878-1