RN Exam Practice
Basic Care and ComfortQuestion 113 of 2368

Which instruction should the nurse give to a client who is learning to use an incentive spirometer?

  1. Breathe in as quickly as possible to raise the piston to the goal.
  2. Swallow any mucus that is produced after coughing to avoid spitting.
  3. Breathe in slowly and deeply, then hold the breath for at least 5 seconds.
  4. Use the spirometer once each shift and record the volume reached.
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Correct answer: Breathe in slowly and deeply, then hold the breath for at least 5 seconds.

The client breathes in slowly and deeply, holds the breath at least five seconds, and repeats ten times every hour while awake.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Oxygenation: INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Basic Care and Comfort"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026