Peak Flow Meter Use

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Peak Flow Meter Use
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Peak Flow Meter Use

• Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the
  airways causes airflow into and out of the lungs
  to be restricted.
• An asthma attack can occur as an allergic
  reaction to an allergen or other substance (acute
  asthma), or as a part of a complex disease cycle
  which may include reaction to stress or exercise
  (chronic asthma).

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• During an asthma attack smooth muscles located in
  the bronchioles of the lung constrict and
  decrease the flow of air in the airways,
  producing the characteristic wheezing sound
• The amount of air flow can further be decreased
  by inflammation or excess mucus secretion.

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• A peak flow meter is commonly used by a person
  with asthma to measure the amount of air that can
  be expelled from the lungs.
• If the airways become narrow or blocked due to
  asthma, peak flow values will drop because the
  person cannot blow air out of the lungs as well.

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• A peak flow meter helps check how well asthma is
  controlled.
• It can also be used to help determine how well a
  patient's medications are working especially
  during treatment of an acute attack

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• STEP 1
• First, move the marker to the bottom of the
  numbered scale

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• STEP 2
• Stand up straight with head up(Standing helps
  you get more air into the lungs)
• Remove any gum or food from the mouth.
• Have the patient take a deep breath (as deep as
  he/she can).

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• STEP 3
• Place the mouthpiece in the mouth, betweenthe
  teeth.
• Close the lips around it.
• Caution the patient not to put his / her tongue
  inside the hole or block the vents in the back

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• STEP 4
• In one breath, have the patient exhale as hard
  and fast as possible, until the patient has
  emptied out nearly all of the air from his/her
  lungs.
• You want the marker to move as far as possible
• Have the patient concentrate on exhaling
  forcefully and quickly

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• STEP 5
• Move the marker back to the bottom, and repeat
  these steps two more times.
• If the patient coughs or makes a mistake, do not
  include this as one of the three tries.

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Peak Flow Meter Use

• STEP 6
• Record the highest of the three numbers for that
  trial.

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Peak Flow Meter Use AVERAGE PEAK FLOW VALUES
(Predicted Average Peak Expiratory Flow)
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Peak Flow Meter Use AVERAGE PEAK FLOW VALUES
(Predicted Average Peak Expiratory Flow)