Incentive Spirometer Appearance and Patient Care

LV3677 · Nov 10, 2015

I think they are incredibly useful. I tell people who are smokers that it's like sucking on a cigarette. That seems to help them get the idea. And of course, I explain the purpose behind it.

fairdinkum · Nov 11, 2015

I've had a couple of alcoholic patients who I finally realized were refusing it because they thought it was a secret breathalyzer (they had told us they no longer drank, of course). The long tube made it look like the police equipment to them, so I had to quickly explain that they suck in, not blow out, and then they were more than willing to use it. It does look a little complicated to the uninitiated, and I think some nice lettering on the outside would help. But patients like the competitive aspect of having numbers to show them how well they're doing.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

Maybe some Helium would help to make it more fun ? Ha Ha !

Haha that reminded me of this:

[video=youtube_share;aKvouOisA-s]

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

I work on a post-op floor and find my patient's understand my instructions fine. During my initial assessment I ask the patient's to do it for me and watch their technique. I find that most patient's are doing it too fast and thus not expanding their bases optimally and I have to re-instruct them.

We rarely get post-op pneumonia on my floor.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

I have my own personal opinion about the traditional plastic incentive spirometer (IS) device when it comes to patient care. It left me wondering how other nurses feel both positive and negative. Your thoughts on the following questions are greatly appreciated.
What are your thoughts on the appearance of the IS device and how it works? Do you find it easy for patients to use? Why or why not? Is there anything you would change about the way it looks? Why or why not? Do we need something better in its place and why?

The incentive spirometer design, is fine and dandy. It does it's job when nurses know how to use it, instruct the patient on the correct usage, and hand that sucker to them every time you walk into the room.

sailornurse · Nov 11, 2015

Calling All COBs- Does anyone remember the Blow Bottles from the late 70's/early 80's? When I was teaching we found some in the skills lab when we moved into the new SON building. There were only a handful of us that knew what they were. I tried searching but "No Joy" as we say in the Navy (since it is Veteran's day). 2 plastic bottles connected with tubing, you filled one with water, it came with a blue dye tablet. The patient had to blow the water from one bottle to the next, reverse/repeat. I have never had a problem with the various IS devices, except for coming on shift and finding it on: the window sill, in the drawer of bedside stand, packed away with patient belongings bag/and anywhere else except where the patient can reach it. I also use the "every TV commercial" rule plus the "anytime I come in your room, 3-4 times rule".

Simple explanation that if they get pneumonia was enough. Especially smokers/exsmokers.

As an aside-I am having autocorrect that changes some words in my post. Can I turn this off?