Nurse-guided incentive spirometry use and postoperative pulmonary complications among cardiac surgery patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Aims: To assess the effect of nurse-guided use of incentive spirometer on postoperative oxygenation and pulmonary complications after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Deep breathing exercises have been shown to improve postoperative lung expansion and reduce pulmonary complications. An incentive spirometer is a deep breathing exercises device that imitates continuous sigh-like maximal inspiration.