This information will help you learn how to use your incentive spirometer (in-SEN-tiv spy-rah-MEE-ter). It also answers some common questions about it.
About your incentive spirometer
After your surgery you may feel weak and sore, and it may be uncomfortable to take deep breaths. Your healthcare provider may recommend using a device called an incentive spirometer (see Figure 1). It helps you practice taking deep breaths.
Figure 1. Parts of an incentive spirometer
It’s important to use your incentive spirometer after your surgery. Using an incentive spirometer:
- Helps your lungs expand so you can take deep, full breaths.
- Exercises your lungs and makes them stronger as you heal from surgery.
If you have a respiratory infection, do not use your incentive spirometer around other people. A respiratory infection is an infection in your nose, throat, or lungs, such as pneumonia (noo-MOH-nyuh) or COVID-19. This kind of infection can spread from person to person through the air.
How to use your incentive spirometer
Here is a video that shows how to use your incentive spirometer:
Setting up your incentive spirometer
Before you use your incentive spirometer for the first time, you will need to set it up. First, take the flexible (bendable) tubing out of the bag and stretch it out. Then, connect the tubing to the outlet on the right side of the base (see Figure 1). The mouthpiece is attached to the other end of the tubing.
Knowing what number to aim for on your incentive spirometer
Your healthcare provider will teach you how to use your incentive spirometer before you leave the hospital. They will help you set a goal and tell you what number to aim for when using your spirometer. If a goal was not set for you, talk with your healthcare provider. Ask them what number you should aim for.
You can also check the package your incentive spirometer came in. It may have a chart to help you figure out what number to aim for. To learn more, read “What number I should aim for?” in the “Common questions about your incentive spirometer” section.
Using your incentive spirometer
When using your incentive spirometer, make sure to breathe through your mouth. If you breathe through your nose, your spirometer will not work right.
Follow these steps to use your incentive spirometer. Repeat these steps every hour you’re awake. Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider if they’re different from the ones here.
- Sit upright in a chair or in bed. Hold your incentive spirometer at eye level.
- Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it. Make sure you do not block the mouthpiece with your tongue.
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With the mouthpiece in your mouth, breathe out (exhale) slowly and fully.
- Some people may have trouble exhaling with the mouthpiece in their mouth. If you do, take the mouthpiece out of your mouth, and then exhale slowly and fully. After you exhale, put the mouthpiece back in your mouth and go on to step 4.
- Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your mouth, as deeply as you can. You will see the piston slowly rise inside the spirometer. The deeper you breathe in, the higher the piston will rise.
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As the piston rises, the coaching indicator on the right side of the spirometer should also rise. It should float between the 2 arrows (see Figure 1).
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The coaching indicator measures the speed of your breath. If it does not stay between the 2 arrows, you’re breathing in either too fast or too slow.
- If the indicator rises above the higher arrow, you’re breathing in too fast. Try to breathe in slower.
- If the indicator stays below the lower arrow, you’re breathing in too slow. Try to breathe in faster.
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The coaching indicator measures the speed of your breath. If it does not stay between the 2 arrows, you’re breathing in either too fast or too slow.
- When you cannot breathe in any further, hold your breath for at least 3 to 5 seconds. Hold it for longer if you can. You will see the piston slowly fall to the bottom of the spirometer.
- Once the piston reaches the bottom of the spirometer, breathe out slowly and fully through your mouth. If you want, you can take the mouthpiece out of your mouth first and then breathe out.
- Rest for a few seconds. If you took the mouthpiece out of your mouth, put it back in when you’re ready to start again.
- Repeat steps 1 to 8 at least 10 times. Try to get the piston to the same level with each breath. After you have done the exercise 10 times, go on to step 10.
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Use the marker on the left side of the spirometer to mark how high the piston rises (see Figure 1). Look at the very top of the piston, not the bottom. The number you see at the top is the highest number the piston reached. Put the marker there. This is how high you should try to get the piston the next time you use your spirometer.
- Write down the highest number the piston reached. This can help you change your goals and track your progress over time.
Take 10 breaths with your incentive spirometer every hour you’re awake.
Cover the mouthpiece of your incentive spirometer when you’re not using it.
Tips for using your incentive spirometer
Follow these tips when using your incentive spirometer:
- If you had surgery on your chest or abdomen (belly), it may help to splint your incision (surgical cut). To do this, hold a pillow firmly against your incision. This will keep your muscles from moving as much while you’re using your incentive spirometer. It will also help ease pain at your incision.
- If you need to clear your lungs, you can try to cough a few times. As you’re coughing, hold a pillow against your incision, as needed.
- If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, take the mouthpiece out of your mouth. Then, take a few normal breaths. Stop and rest for a while, if needed. When you feel better, you can go back to using your incentive spirometer.
- You may find it hard to use your incentive spirometer at first. If you cannot make the piston rise to the number your healthcare provider set for you, it’s OK. Reaching your goal takes time and practice. It’s important to keep using your spirometer as you heal from surgery. The more you practice, the stronger your lungs will get.
Common questions about your incentive spirometer
How often should I use my incentive spirometer?
How often you will need to use your incentive spirometer is not the same for everyone. It depends on the type of surgery you had and your recovery process.
Most people can take 10 breaths with their spirometer every hour they’re awake.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to use your spirometer. Follow their instructions.
How long after my surgery will I need to use my incentive spirometer?
The length of time you will need to use your incentive spirometer is not the same for everyone. It depends on the type of surgery you had and your recovery process.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you need to use your spirometer. Follow their instructions.
How do I clean my incentive spirometer?
An incentive spirometer is a disposable device and only meant to be used for a short time. Because of this, you may not find cleaning instructions in the package your spirometer came in. If you have questions about cleaning your spirometer, talk with your healthcare provider.
What do the numbers on my incentive spirometer measure?
The large column of your incentive spirometer has numbers on it (see Figure 1). These numbers measure the volume of your breath in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc). The volume of your breath is how much air you can breathe into your lungs (inhale).
For example, if the piston rises to 1500, it means you can inhale 1500 mL or cc of air. The higher the number, the more air you’re able to inhale, and the better your lungs are working.
What number I should aim for?
The number you should aim for depends on your age, height, and sex. It also depends on the type of surgery you had and your recovery process. Your healthcare provider will look at these things when setting a goal for you. They will tell you what number to aim for.
Most people start with a goal of 500 mL or cc. Your healthcare provider may change your goal and have you aim for higher numbers as you heal from surgery.
The package your incentive spirometer came in may have a chart. You can use the chart to set your goal based on your age, height, and sex. If you cannot find this information, ask your healthcare provider what your goal should be.
What does the coaching indicator on my incentive spirometer measure?
The coaching indicator on your incentive spirometer measures the speed of your breath. As the speed of your breath changes, the indicator moves up and down.
Use the indicator to guide your breathing. If the indicator rises above the higher arrow, it means you’re breathing in too fast. If the indicator stays below the lower arrow, it means you’re breathing in too slow.
Aim to keep the indicator between the 2 arrows (see Figure 1). This means your breath is steady and controlled.
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these when using your incentive spirometer:
- Feel dizzy or lightheaded.
- Pain in your lungs or chest.
- Severe (very bad) pain when you take deep breaths.
- Trouble breathing.
- Coughing up blood.
- Fluid or blood coming from your incision site when you cough.
- Trouble using your spirometer for any reason.