What is the purpose of incentive spirometry?

The purpose of incentive spirometry is to encourage deep breathing and prevent atelectasis. This device is commonly used in clinical settings, especially post-operatively or for patients with respiratory illnesses, to promote lung expansion. By encouraging patients to take deep, slow breaths, incentive spirometry helps to increase the volume of air reaching the alveoli, which can help clear mucus and prevent the collapse of lung tissue.

Atelectasis, which refers to the partial or complete collapse of a lung, can occur when patients do not breathe deeply enough, particularly after surgery or during prolonged periods of inactivity. By using an incentive spirometer, patients are motivated to take deeper breaths, thereby improving lung expansion and function.

The other choices highlight related but different concepts. While enhancing oxygen absorption and providing supplemental oxygen are important aspects of respiratory care, they are not the primary role of incentive spirometry. Measuring lung capacity may also be a function of some pulmonary testing devices, but incentive spirometry is focused on promoting voluntary deep inhalation rather than measuring lung function.