Incentive spirometry is important after surgery to prevent what?

Incentive spirometry is important after surgery to prevent what?

• A. To relieve pain
• B. To prevent atelectasis and expand the lungs
• C. To reduce infection risk by antibiotics
• D. To improve appetite

Answer: (B)

Incentive spirometry is used after surgery to keep the lungs expanded and prevent atelectasis. After surgery, pain, anesthesia, and bed rest cause shallow breathing, which allows small airways to collapse and portions of the lung to deflate. By encouraging the patient to take slow, deep breaths with a device that provides a visual target, incentive spirometry promotes sustained maximal inspiration, expands the alveoli, and improves ventilation. This helps prevent atelectasis, improves oxygenation, and aids in mobilizing secretions. While pain control, infection prevention, and appetite are important aspects of post-op care, the specific purpose of incentive spirometry is to prevent lung collapse and promote lung expansion.

Incentive spirometry is used after surgery to keep the lungs expanded and prevent atelectasis. After surgery, pain, anesthesia, and bed rest cause shallow breathing, which allows small airways to collapse and portions of the lung to deflate. By encouraging the patient to take slow, deep breaths with a device that provides a visual target, incentive spirometry promotes sustained maximal inspiration, expands the alveoli, and improves ventilation. This helps prevent atelectasis, improves oxygenation, and aids in mobilizing secretions. While pain control, infection prevention, and appetite are important aspects of post-op care, the specific purpose of incentive spirometry is to prevent lung collapse and promote lung expansion.