What is the primary purpose of incentive spirometry after surgery?

The primary purpose of incentive spirometry after surgery is to promote lung expansion. After surgical procedures, especially those involving the abdomen or thorax, patients can be at risk for atelectasis, which is the partial or complete collapse of the lung. This can occur due to shallow breathing, often resulting from pain, immobility, or sedation post-surgery.

Incentive spirometry encourages patients to take deep breaths by inhaling slowly and deeply through the spirometer. This practice helps to expand the lungs and increase lung capacity, which can clear out mucus and prevent respiratory complications. By enhancing lung expansion, it can also help improve oxygenation and overall respiratory function, making it a critical part of postoperative care.

While reducing pain, increasing heart rate, and preventing infection are important aspects of postoperative recovery, they are not the primary focus of incentive spirometry. Pain reduction relates more to pain management strategies, increased heart rate is a physiological response not directly linked to using a spirometer, and while preventing infection is crucial, it's more about respiratory hygiene and other measures rather than the direct function of incentive spirometry.