Respiratory Cloud Clinical Skills Library

Clinical knowledge review

Contraindications

Use these educational prompts with current orders, protocols, patient assessment, facility policy, and supervising-clinician direction.

Skill

Incentive Spirometry (IS)

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Contraindications Conditions identified as reasons to avoid or defer the procedure pending authorized clinical review. View list Relative contraindications Factors requiring individualized risk-benefit assessment, added precautions, or a modified approach. View list

Contraindications

Review these conditions before proceeding and follow current orders, protocols, facility policy, and supervising-clinician direction.

  • Patient unable to cooperate or follow instructions
  • Uncooperative or unconscious patient unable to use the device

Relative contraindications

Use individualized risk-benefit assessment, added precautions, or a modified approach as authorized for the patient and setting.

  • Severe facial/oral pain or recent facial, oral, or skull surgery
  • Severe pain preventing effective inspiration despite analgesia
  • Inadequate pain control postoperatively limiting deep breathing

Sources

Supporting sources include peer-reviewed research, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, professional standards, and foundational respiratory care references, as applicable to the skill.

  1. AARC IS CPG (2011).
  2. Restrepo RD, et al. Respir Care. 2011;56(10):1600-1604.