Incentive spirometry is a way for patients to avoid atelectasis and pneumonia during periods of immobility, such as after certain surgical procedures. Incentive spirometry involves deep inhalation to open the lungs to near maximal capacity. Once open, the patient should hold this position for about 3 to 5 seconds before exhaling. This helps to ensure the lower airways and alveoli open. Spirometry as it is used in pulmonary function testing requires patients to exhale rapidly—the time of interest is the first second of the exhalation. It does not apply to incentive spirometry. Patients often use incentive spirometry 6 to 10 times per hour over several days, not three times a day for the first day after surgery.