Consolidated Political Compass Test (CPCT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The use of an incentive spirometer after surgery primarily benefits a patient by increasing respiratory circulation and preventing pulmonary complications. After surgery, particularly abdominal or thoracic procedures, patients may experience reduced lung function due to pain, immobility, and the effects of anesthesia. These factors can lead to shallow breathing, which increases the risk of complications such as atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung) and pneumonia.

Incentive spirometers encourage patients to take deep breaths by providing visual feedback on their inhalation effort. This deep breathing helps to expand the lungs, improves ventilation, promotes gas exchange, and stimulates clearing of secretions. As a result, it enhances lung capacity and plays a critical role in maintaining proper respiratory function postoperatively.

While the other options present various potential benefits of recovery, they are not primarily linked to the use of an incentive spirometer. Muscle recovery typically involves physical therapy and mobility exercises rather than respiratory devices. Reducing the need for pain medication is more directly related to effective pain management strategies, and enhancing cardiovascular health involves different forms of physical activity or exercises rather than just respiratory efforts. Therefore, option B accurately reflects the key role of the incentive spirometer in postoperative care.