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Respiratory care

Respiratory therapists care for inpatients and outpatients of all ages who have trouble breathing from respiratory conditions such as emphysema, asthma, croup, and pneumonia. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, trauma, or shock.

Respiratory Care personnel use diagnostic testing and respiratory therapy treatments to help their patients' breath better. They also provide education to their patients to help them find ways to cope with their breathing conditions.

A peak flow meter can help measure how well your lungs are working.
Reviewed 4/24/2023

How to use a peak flow meter

In 6 easy steps

How well are your lungs working?

Show me how

A peak flow meter can help measure how well your lungs are working and how well you're managing your asthma.

Step 1

Set the meter at the bottom of the scale.

Step 2

Stand up and make sure nothing is in your mouth. Take a deep breath.

Step 3

Close your lips around the meter's mouthpiece.

Step 4

Blow out as hard and fast as you can. Check the number where the marker landed.

Step 5

Write down the number.

Step 6

Repeat the process 2 more times. The highest number of the 3 numbers is your current peak flow.

What your numbers mean

"Good" or "bad" peak flow readings aren't the same for every person. Work with your doctor to find out what your zones of measurement should be as part of your asthma action plan. The zones often follow a traffic light system:

Danger. You're in the red zone if your reading is below 50 percent of your normal peak flow. This is a medical alert. Take your rescue medications. Call your doctor and follow your red-zone action plan.

Caution. You're in the yellow zone if your reading is 50 to 80 percent of your normal peak flow. This means your airways are narrowing. Follow your yellow-zone action plan.

You're good to go. You're in the green zone if your reading is 80 to 100 percent of your normal peak flow. This means your lungs are working fine. Continue following your asthma management plan.

Keep learning about asthma by following this link.

Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Lung Association; National Institutes of Health

Sources

Diagnostic Testing

  • Arterial Blood Gas. An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood. It also measures your body's acid-base (pH) level. The test gives information about how well your lungs, heart, and kidneys are working.
  • Pulmonary Function Testing. Pulmonary Function testing takes a 'snapshot' of how well your lungs work mechanically. It measures how much air you can take in as well as how fast air moves in and out of the lungs. This study is used in the detection of disorders such as COPD and Asthma.

Respiratory Patient Therapy

  • Oxygen Administration. Oxygen may be given to patients if the level of oxygen in the blood is low. A low oxygen level will make you feel short of breath, tired and even confused. Oxygen is given using a nasal cannula (little tubes in the nose that provide the oxygen) or an oxygen mask. Oxygen Administration will increase the oxygen level in your blood to normal safe levels.
  • Aerosol Therapy. An aerosol treatment turns a liquid medication into an aerosol that patients breathe in to help treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory conditions.
  • Chest Physiotherapy, This procedure is performed by respiratory therapists by vibrating the lungs to aid in the removal of mucus making it easier to breathe. Many times Chest Physiotherapy and Aerosol Therapy are given together to aid in the respiratory care of the patient.

High Performing Ranking

Iredell Memorial Hospital was ranked “High Performing” by U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-22 Best Hospitals ranking for its treatment of patients in three medical specialty categories: heart attack, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

High Performing Hospitals Badge