How to Perform a Slow Vital Capacity Maneuver
By measuring the volume of air a person can inhale and exhale, and then measuring the difference between the two, doctors can make many determinations about a person's lung health. Healthy lungs will be able to inhale and exhale the same amount of air and then return to a position of rest. A person with pulmonary disease will show limits on their ability to complete a full inhale-exhale cycle. A slow vital capacity maneuver describes the test which doctors perform to measure a patient's lung capacity.
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Things You'll Need
- Medical device for measuring and graphing lung capacity and air flow vs. time
- Vinyl air hose and mouthpiece
- Nose clip
Instructions
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Make sure the patient isn't chewing any gum or candy and that the person is wearing a nose clip which seals off the nasal cavity.
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Start the volume versus time recording and instruct the patient to breathe regularly and comfortably in a standing position for a few respiration cycles. Have them breath comfortably, without making any unusual effort.
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Instruct the patient to completely and slowly exhale to the maximum extent of their lung capacity. Instruct the patient to use their diaphragm and fully deflate their lungs.
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Instruct the patient to fully and completely inhale, and slowly fill their lungs to capacity. As they reach their maximum inhalation, do not have them hold their breath. Have the patient continue the cycle and exhale fully and then return to a smooth and even respiration rate.
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Evaluate the data recorded on the plotter. The total inhaled volume and the total exhaled volume should be equal for the healthy patient.
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References
Resources
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