What is an incentive spirometer used for?

An incentive spirometer is a medical equipment that patients use to keep the lungs healthy following a surgical operation, explains MedlinePlus. It allows patients to learn how to take slow, deep breaths.

Patients use the device every one to two hours to breathe deeply, which is also essential to the recovery process, explains MedlinePlus. To use the device, a patient places its mouthpiece in the mouth, and then breathes out normally and breathes in slowly. It features a marker to indicate the amount of breath a patient should take. Using the device after surgery is necessary because patients are usually unable to take deep breaths.