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Keywords
Atelectasis
Disciplines
Nursing
Description
Atelectasis is a concern for all patients; not limited to pre-and post-surgical patients. An issue that we as nurses have noticed is the lack of incentive spirometer (IS) education for patients admitted to 5NE. In our post-operative patients’, acute/chronic pain and limited mobility serve as factors that prevent full ventilation and perfusion of the lungs. One of the ways wemitigate ventilation and perfusion deficits for our patients, is the use of the IS. There are many variables that still influence and limit the patients’ use of the IS therapy. Variables include; poor education, inaccessibility of the device, and lack of cooperation from the patient. As nurses, our main priority is to advocate for our patient's health. When providing education to our patients, nurses need to highlight the benefits of utilizing proper IS techniques to help prevent further pulmonary deterioration.
Incentive spirometer is used in lung expansion therapy tomaintainalveolar patency and improve pulmonary volumes. A 2021 study by Toor et al., focused on patients with severe respiratory disease who have a baseline cough. IS education and instructions were provided to the patients in the study. Results showed 16% increase in maximal inspiratory volume over a span of 30 days when prescribed daily breathing exercises with an IS. Supporting research concluded by Bilyyet al. (2020)indicatingthat pre-operative incentive spirometer education and IS exposure ensures better compliance with post-operative treatment andappropriate use. It was noted length of stay also significantly reduced in ICU patients who practiced deep breathing and incentive spirometer use (Hatice et al., 2025). In more recent research inpatients who underwent open heart surgery who were exposed to incentive spirometer use continued to have decreased hospitalizations and increased post surgical outcomes (Hatice et al., 2025). The evidence of benefits created with the integration of IS use for hospitalized patients, has made it imperative to implement better education to increase compliance on IS use for patients on the 5 NE.
Publication Date
5-6-2026
Recommended Citation
Chesney M, Bellthomas S, Veridiano A. Inhale confidence: keep your lungs open & moving. Presented at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; 2026 May 6-12; Royal Oak, MI.
Comments
Nurses Week at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, May 6-12, 2026.