How To Use An Incentive Spirometer

Using your incentive spirometer after surgery will help you keep your lungs clear. The incentive spirometer also will help keep your lungs active when you are recovering from surgery, as if you were at home performing your daily activities.

How to use the incentive spirometer

1. Sit on the edge of your bed if possible, or sit up as far as you can in bed.
2. Hold the incentive spirometer in an upright position.
3. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips tightly around it.
4. Breathe in slowly and as deeply as possible, raising the yellow piston toward the top of the column. The yellow coach indicator should be in the blue outlined area.
5. Hold your breath as long as possible (at least for 5 seconds). Allow the piston to fall to the bottom of the column.
6. Rest for a few seconds and repeat Steps 1 to 5 at least 10 times every hour when you are awake.
7. Position the yellow indicator on the left side of the spirometer to show your best effort. Use the indicator as a goal to work toward during each repetition.
8. After each set of ten deep breaths, practice coughing to be sure your lungs are clear. If you have an incision, support your incision when coughing by placing a pillow firmly against it.
9. Once you are able to get out of bed, walk in the hallway and cough well, you may stop using the incentive spirometer unless otherwise instructed by your health care provider.

This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic (216) 444-3771 or toll-free (800) 223-2273 extension 43771 or visit www.clevelandclinic.org/health/. This document was last reviewed on: 1/11/2002