What it means
An everyday word that nurses meet most in "incentive spirometer", a hand-held device that shows the client how deeply they are breathing in, so the goal on the device encourages them to take slow, deep breaths. It is used after surgery and during bed rest to keep the small air sacs of the lungs open. Incentives are also used in health programs to reward healthy behavior.
For the nurse
For an incentive spirometer, teach the client to sit up, seal the lips around the mouthpiece, breathe in slowly and deeply, hold for a few seconds, and repeat about 10 times an hour while awake, or as ordered.
At a glance
| Also written | incentives |
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Related terms
postoperative
Describing the time after surgery, from the end of the operation until recovery.
pneumonia
An infection of one or both lungs in which the air sacs fill with fluid or pus.