Using an Incentive Spirometer

An incentive spirometer is a device that helps you do deep breathing exercises. These exercises expand your lungs, aid in circulation, and help prevent pneumonia. Deep breathing exercises also help you breathe better and improve the function of your lungs by:

• Keeping your lungs clear

• Strengthening your breathing muscles

• Helping prevent respiratory complications or problems

The incentive spirometer gives you a way to take an active part in your recovery. A nurse or therapist will teach you breathing exercises. To do these exercises, you will breathe in through your mouth and not your nose. The incentive spirometer only works correctly if you breathe in through your mouth.

Steps to clear lungs

Step 1. Exhale normally. Then, inhale normally.

• Relax and breathe out.

Step 2. Place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.

• Make sure the device is upright and not tilted.

Step 3. Inhale as much air as you can through the mouthpiece (don't breathe through your nose).

• Inhale slowly and deeply.

• Hold your breath long enough to keep the balls or disk raised for at least 3 to 5 seconds, or as instructed by your healthcare provider.

• Some spirometers have an indicator to let you know that you are breathing in too fast. If the indicator goes off, breathe in more slowly.

Step 4. Repeat the exercise regularly.

• Do this exercise every hour while you're awake, or as instructed by your healthcare provider.

• If you were taught deep breathing and coughing exercises, do them regularly as instructed by your healthcare provider. 

Follow-up care

Make a follow up appointment, or as directed. Also, follow up with your healthcare provider as advised or if your symptoms don't improve or continue to get worse.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever 100.4° (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Brownish, bloody, or smelly sputum (phlegm that you cough up)

Call 911

Call 911 if any of these occur: 

• Shortness of breath that doesn't get better after taking your medicine

• Cool, moist, pale or blue skin

• Trouble breathing or swallowing, wheezing

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Feeling of dizziness or weakness, or a sudden drop in blood pressure

• Feeling very ill

• Lightheadedness

• Chest pain or rapid heart rate