PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW stressed to perform so be it 8.

Repeat the process 3-4 times

RATE
 The Peak Expiratory Flow
Rate (PEFR) test measures
how fast a person can
exhale.
 The PEFR test is also called
Peak flow. This test is
commonly performed at
home with a handheld device
called peak flow
monitor/meter.
WHAT IS A PEAK FLOW METER?
 It is a device into which the
patient exhales as hard and
fast as he can.
 The Peak Flow Meter is a
form of pneumotachometer.
“Air-speed-meter” as airway
close off, the speed of the air
decreases and the meter will
record this.
INDICATIONS
1. Asthma
2. Emphysema or other COPD
3. Persons who are getting
medication to combat
Bronchospasm brought on by
bronchopneumonia and viral
pneumonias such as the flu.
stop right away.
 It is impossible to get a child
under the age of 5 years old
to do this procedure.
 Persons who are confused,
very sedated or retarded
may not be able to follow.
HAZARDS OF THE PEAK FLOW METER
1. Can trigger more
bronchospasm.
2. Can trigger coughing.
3. A person on supplementary
02 can become hypoxic if he
is removed from his 02 and
asked to do work as stressful
as this.
4. Cross contamination.
PRECAUTIONS
 Use an asthma action plan.
 Meet with your doctor.
 Avoid your triggers.
 Make healthy choices.
STEPS IN USING PEAK FLOW
METER
1. Connect a clean mouthpiece.
and record the highest
reading.
9. Note down the reading in a
diary to allow comparison
with readings on other days.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO TAKE THE
TEST?
To determine a “personal best”, you
should measure your peak flow rate:
 At least twice a day for two
to three weeks.
 In the morning, upon
awakening, and in the late
afternoon or early evening.
15-20 minutes after using an inhaled
quick acting beta2-agonist
UNDERSTANDING YOUR PEAK FLOW
ZONES
 GREEN ZONE = stable
>PFR: 80-100% of your personal best.
>Indication: Asthma is under control.
 YELLOW ZONE = caution
>PFR: 50-80% of your personal best.
>Indication: Asthma is getting worse.

4. Frequently the patient

2. Ensure the marker is set to  RED ZONE = danger
getting drugs to combat
zero.
Bronchospasm >PFR: <50%
(bronchodilator) will get a 3. Stand up or sit upright.
PEFR before and after their >Indication: Medical emergency.
treatment to assess the 4. Take a breath as deep as you
effectiveness of the can and hold it.
bronchodilator.
5. Place the mouthpiece in your
5. Occasionally, one may get a mouth and form as tight a
patient in whom there is no seal as possible around it
audible wheezing, just a with your lips.
cough.
6. Breathe out as hard as you
CONTRAINDICATIONS can.

 The PEFR should be offered 7. Observe and record the

but if the patient is too reading.