An indication for incentive spirometry is to prevent atelectasis.

An indication for incentive spirometry is to prevent atelectasis.

• A. To prevent atelectasis
• B. To treat pulmonary edema
• C. To reduce fever
• D. To improve cough efficiency

Answer: (A)

Incentive spirometry is used to keep the lungs expanded and recruit collapsed alveoli. By encouraging slow, deep breaths with sustained maximal inspiration, it increases transpulmonary pressure, reopens atelectatic areas, and raises functional residual capacity. This helps prevent atelectasis, especially after surgery or with limited movement when breathing patterns become shallow and mucus can accumulate in dependent lung regions. The other options don’t reflect the primary goal: incentive spirometry isn’t a treatment for pulmonary edema, which is managed with fluids and heart-lailure therapies; it doesn’t reduce fever, which is typically due to infection or inflammation; and while better lung expansion can aid secretions and coughing somewhat, the main reason to use it is to prevent atelectasis rather than directly improving cough efficiency.

Incentive spirometry is used to keep the lungs expanded and recruit collapsed alveoli. By encouraging slow, deep breaths with sustained maximal inspiration, it increases transpulmonary pressure, reopens atelectatic areas, and raises functional residual capacity. This helps prevent atelectasis, especially after surgery or with limited movement when breathing patterns become shallow and mucus can accumulate in dependent lung regions.

The other options don’t reflect the primary goal: incentive spirometry isn’t a treatment for pulmonary edema, which is managed with fluids and heart-lailure therapies; it doesn’t reduce fever, which is typically due to infection or inflammation; and while better lung expansion can aid secretions and coughing somewhat, the main reason to use it is to prevent atelectasis rather than directly improving cough efficiency.