During a positive expiratory pressure therapy session, a patient should be told to:

a. stop after 20 to 30 breaths.
b. place lips into the mouthpiece.
c. take a deep breath, and then actively ex-hale.
d. breathe normally through the mouthpiece.

ANS: C
Patients should be instructed to inspire through the one-way valve of the positive expiratory pressure device to a volume that is greater than the normal tidal volume—but not to the total lung capacity. At the end of inspiration, patients are encouraged to actively, but not forcefully, exhale to functional residual capacity.