Purpose: Tells you how well your lungs are working with the current medications.
Device Components
Show the patient the instrument and explain its parts:
Clear plastic body
Logarithmic scale
Internal flow indicator with color zones
Mouthpiece
Usage Instructions
Proper Posture
Standing: Avoid bending your neck down.
No food or gum: Ensure the patient does not have any food or gum in their mouth.
Preparation
Take the peak flow device and reset the pointer to zero.
Place a fresh mouthpiece into the peak flow meter.
Holding the Meter
Hold the meter correctly with fingers not interfering with the pointer.
Make a tight seal around the mouthpiece.
Breathing Technique
Inhale: Breath in as deeply as possible and hold your breath.
Exhale: Demonstrate to the patient how to blow as hard and as fast as possible through the peak flow meter in a single blow.
Recording the Reading
Write down the level (aside) and put the marker back to zero.
Repeat Measurement
Repeat the measurement 3 times and record the highest reading on the chart as your peak expiratory flow (PEF) L/min.
Demonstration: Demonstrates checking the patient understands by asking her/him to carry out the procedure in front of the candidate.
Determining the Personal Best Peak Flow Number
Measurement Schedule: When you get out of this attack, measure your PFM daily, between 12-2 pm, between 7-9 am, and 6-8 pm for 2-3 weeks so that you know your best Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) number.