Peak Flow MetersA peak flow meter is a handheld device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs. During an asthma episode, your airways often narrow. A peak flow meter can measure this narrowing hours, even days, before you have any asthma symptoms. Show
In fact, a peak flow meter is so sensitive to changes in your airways that it can alert you to breathing issues even better than a doctor can when listening to your lungs with a stethoscope. By taking your asthma medicine when your peak flow meter indicates changes – before you notice symptoms – you may be able to avoid a serious asthma episode. A peak flow meter can also help you and your doctor: Measure your peak flow at least once a day, usually in the morning before you take your asthma medicines. You might have to check it more often if you are having more episodes than usual, or if your reading is below 80 percent of your personal best. Check your Asthma Action Plan. Remember to always use the same peak flow meter. How Do I Use a Peak Flow Meter?
How Do I Find My Personal Best Number?Your personal best peak flow number is the highest peak flow number you have over a two- to three-week period when your asthma is under good control. Good control is when you feel good and do not have any asthma symptoms. Everyone’s asthma is different, so your best peak flow may be different from the average number for someone of your height, weight and gender. Your Asthma Action Plan needs to be based on your personal best peak flow number. To find out your personal best peak flow number, take peak flow readings:
What Are the Peak Flow Zones?Once you know your personal best peak flow number, your doctor will give you a range of numbers that tell you what to do. The peak flow numbers are put into a chart with zones that are set up like a traffic light. It is easiest if these target zones are added to your Asthma Action Plan. This will help you know what to do when your peak flow number changes. For example: What Are Some Important Things to Remember?
A peak flow reading will only be as good as your effort. Numbers can be artificially high with tongue thrusts or spitting. Or they may be artificially low due to not enough effort or poor technique. Medical Review December 2017. How do you do a peak flow test?You take the biggest breath in that you can. Then blow out as fast as you can, into a small, hand-held plastic tube called a peak flow meter. You don't need to empty the lungs completely – just a short, sharp blow, as if you're blowing out a candle. The measurement taken is called your peak flow.
How do you use peak flow?hold the peak flow meter so it's horizontal and make sure that your fingers are not obstructing the measurement scale. breathe in as deeply as you can and place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. breathe out as quickly and as hard as you can. when you've finished breathing out, make a note of your reading.
What is a peak flow meter and what does it do?A peak flow meter is a portable, inexpensive, hand-held device that measures your ability to push air out of your lungs. Air flow is measured by the amount of air that you can blow out in one "fast blast."
How does a peak flow meter help a patient quizlet?A peak flow meter allows you to measure day-to-day changes in your breathing.
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