Medical Assistant Prep / Unit 17 MAS 406 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Coaching a Spirometry Test
The idea
Spirometry results depend on the patient's effort, so the test is coached step by step, as ordered.
In practice
Step one: before the visit, the patient may be told to stop inhaled medicines for a period before testing, according to the provider's instructions. Step two: seat the patient in a chair and place a soft clip on the nose, so that all the air goes through the mouth. Step three: have the patient seal their lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Step four: ask them to take the deepest breath they can, then blow it out into the mouthpiece as hard and as fast as possible. Step five: encourage them through the full breath out, following the device's and the practice's instructions for how many attempts to record.
Where people slip
The result depends on the patient's effort, so coach plainly, encourage a full breath out, and report any problem the patient has during the test.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Medical Assistant Prep