How to Read an Airlife Asthma Check Peak Flow Meter

Peak flow meters measure peak expiratory flow of air from an asthmatic's lungs. According to Web MD, peak flow meters can be used in the short term to diagnose oncoming asthma symptoms, as well as long term to gauge the effectiveness of asthma treatment plans. Peak flow meters are preset during periods of optimum lung function, then used to gauge current flow against peak flow.

Instructions

• 1

  Shake the Airlife peak flow meter until the yellow indicator along the side rests within the diamond shape on the meter, near the mouthpiece.

• 2

  Inhale deeply, place the mouthpiece in your mouth with your lips sealing around the mouthpiece and blow as hard as possible until all air is expelled from the lungs, holding the flow meter parallel to the ground.

• 3

  Read the numerical mark next to where the yellow indicator has come to rest. Divide the result by the preset peak number and multiply by 100 to obtain the percentage of peak flow achieved. If the peak number is 600 and the number blown is 450: 450/600 = .75. .75 x 100 = 75 percent of peak flow.