Incentive spirometry after thoracic or abdominal surgery is primarily used to prevent atelectasis.

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Atelectasis
• C. Pulmonary embolism
• D. Pneumothorax

Answer: (B)

Incentive spirometry is used after thoracic or abdominal surgery to keep the lungs expanded by encouraging deep, slow breaths. After surgery, pain and diaphragmatic splinting lead to shallow breathing, which can cause alveoli to deflate and collapse—a process known as atelectasis. The incentive spirometer provides a visual target and resistance that prompts the patient to take a fuller breath, promoting alveolar recruitment, reopening collapsed airways, and maintaining higher lung volumes. This direct action reduces the risk of atelectasis and helps restore normal ventilation after surgery. While keeping the airways open can indirectly support better oxygenation and may lower infection risk, its primary purpose is preventing atelectasis, not conditions like pulmonary embolism or pneumothorax. Use is typically done repeatedly while awake to encourage ongoing deep breathing and proper diaphragmatic use, with a brief breath hold at full inspiration to maximize alveolar expansion.