How to Use a Hudson Incentive Spirometer

Incentive spirometers are devices used within the health care industry to assess respiratory disorders. Incentive spirometers measure patients' airflow or lung capacity by volume in a controlled exercise. Hudson RCI incentive spirometers use a flow tube connected to a volume measuring canister from which the patient can inhale. While the device looks simple to operate, proper incentive spirometer use is imperative to achieving accurate readings. These readings are integral to future treatment plans and other medical courses of action.

Instructions

• 1

  Insert the wide open end of the tubing into the stem on the front of the Hudson RCI incentive spirometer.

• 2

  Slide the pointer to the target volume level. This is the desired volume of air that the patient should be able to inhale.

• 3

  Hold or stand the Hudson RCI incentive spirometer's canister into an upright position.

• 4

  Exhale gently. Wrap your lips firmly around the Hudson RCI incentive spirometer's mouthpiece, so air does not escape. Inhale slowly until your lungs are completely filled. Hold your breath as per your prescribed count and exhale normally.

• 5

  Check the meter to see if your lungs have inhaled the set amount. If the meter reads zero, then you have inhaled the desired amount. Otherwise, subtract the final reading from the initial set volume to gauge how much you were able to inhale.