Question

A nurse is educating a postoperative patient on how to use an incentive spirometer. What is an accurate step that should be included in the education plan?

a. Instruct the patient to inhale normally and then place the lips securely around the mouthpiece
b. When the patient cannot inhale anymore, the patient should hold his or her breath an count to 10
c. Encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry 2 to 3 times every 1 to 2 hours, if possible
d. Instruct the patient to inhale slowly and as deeply as possible through the mouthpiece without using the nose

Answer 1

The accurate step in the education plan for using an incentive spirometer is to instruct the patient to inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece without using the nose.

Step-by-step explanation:

The accurate step that should be included in the education plan for using an incentive spirometer is to instruct the patient to inhale slowly and as deeply as possible through the mouthpiece without using the nose. This step ensures that the patient is using the incentive spirometer correctly, allowing for maximum lung expansion. Inhaling through the nose instead of the mouthpiece may not provide accurate results or effectively improve lung function.