OSCEs explanation and demonstration of Peak Flow meter DONE

Question 1

How would you explain and demonstrate taking a Peak Flow reading

Answer 1

• Introduce yourself, say why you are there, say that you will explain the use of a peak flow meter if that is ok?
• The basic idea of a peak flow meter is that you blow into this tube as hard and as fast as you can, and it measures how hard and how fast you can blow out on that particular day. So what its actually measuring is the maximum rate at which you can force air out of your lungs.
• So to use a peak flow meter, you first fit a cardboard mouthpiece
• You put the scale to zero
• You have to do this stading up or sitting up straight
• You hold the tube horizontally, and make sure your fingers are not over the scale
• Take a full deep breath in
• Make a tight seal around the mouthpiece with your lips
• Blow into the mouthpiece as hard and as fast as you can.
• (you demonstrate)
• Do this three times and record the highest score you get
• (Your doctor will probably want you to do this quite frequently to see how well your astham is being treated by your medication)
• Make the patient do their Peak flow, and check that they are doing it right.