 Patient teaching Instructions for coughing and deep breathing | |
Coughing and “huffing” (or huff-coughing) helps break up secretions in the lungs facilitating expectorating or suctioning of mucus. Deep-breathing exercises help to expand the lungs and force better distribution of the air into all areas. The patient may initially need to lie down to do these exercises, but eventually the patient can do them while sitting upright, and then while walking. Coughing and Huffing Help the patient to a sitting position. For a controlled cough, the patient purses the lips and takes a deep breath and hold the breath for several seconds and then briefly and gently cough twice. For huffing, the patient purses the lips and takes a deep breath. After holding the breath for several seconds, the patient exhales, using the stomach muscles to push out the air. The vocal chords remain open so that the cough has almost a whispery sound. Coughing and huffing are repeated several times per day, as needed.Deep-Breathing Exercises The patient starts by taking a deep breath through the nose, purses the lips as if to whistle, and then exhales the air slowly through pursed lips. The exhalation should take twice as long as the inhalation. For example, the patient may start by inhaling for 2 seconds and then exhaling for 4 seconds. After taking several deep breaths, the patient should breathe at a normal rhythm and then begin another cycle of deep breathing.Combination Exercises Usually, the patient will perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises together. Instruct the patient to breathe in deeply through the nose and then exhale in three short huffs. Then have the patient inhale deeply again and cough through a slightly open mouth. Three consecutive coughs are highly effective. An effective cough sounds deep, low, and hollow; an ineffective cough is high-pitched. If possible, have the patient perform this exercise for about 1 minute and then rest for 2 minutes. |