Fundamentals of Nursing Q 357
Nurse Winona teaches a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. What patient outcome will support the conclusion that the use of the incentives spirometer was effective?
A. Supplemental oxygen use will be reduced.
B. Inspiratory volume will be increased.
C. Sputum will be expectorated.
D. Coughing will be stimulated.
Correct Answer: B. Inspiratory volume will be increased.
An incentive spirometry or provides a visual goal for and measurement of inspiration. It encourages the patient to execute and maintain a sustained inspiration. A sustained inspiration opens airways, increases the inspiratory volume, and reduces the risk of atelectasis. Spirometry is one of the most readily available and useful tests for pulmonary function. It measures the volume of air exhaled at specific time points during complete exhalation by force, which is preceded by a maximal inhalation.
Option A: Patients who use an incentive spirometer may or may not be receiving oxygen. All patients must be informed that they must abstain from smoking, physical exercise in the hours before the procedure. Any bronchodilator therapy must also be stopped beforehand.
Option C: Although sputum may be expectorated after the use of an incentive spirometer, this is not the primary reason for its use. Recent evidence also supports the use of spirometry in non thoracic surgeries. A recent retrospective observational study found that lower preoperative spirometry FVC may predict postoperative pulmonary complications in high-risk patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Option D: Although the deep breathing associated with the use of an incentive barometer may stimulate coughing, this is not the primary reason for its use. Complete spirometry exams will identify FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), vital capacity (VC), residual lung volume (RV), maximum voluntary minute ventilation (MMV), and total lung capacity (TLC). One parametric that is highly indicative of postoperative complications is predicted postoperative FEV 1(ppo FEV 1). Predicted postoperative FEV1 <30% are at a higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery.