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How Do I Use a Peak Flow Meter?
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As part of your asthma action plan, your disease management nurse will teach you to use a peak flow meter. Your "peak flow" is how fast you can push air out of your lungs. Your health care provider will show you these steps to follow in using your inhaler:
- Help you see how well your written asthma action plan is working, and whether it needs to be modified.
- Tell you that an asthma episode may occur soon.
- Show you when to use medication.
- Help you know when to call your doctor.
- Help you decide whether to go to the doctor, the emergency room or call 911.
Follow these easy steps to use a peak flow meter:
- Move the peak flow meter’s marker to “O” or the lowest number on the scale.
- Stand up or sit up straight
- Take a deep breath.
- Close your lips around the meter’s mouthpiece, making sure your tongue does not block the opening.
- Blow into the mouthpiece as hard and fast as you can.
- Write down the number that shows on the scale.
- Repeat steps 1-6 two more times.
- Write down the highest of the three numbers in your peak flow diary. This is your peak flow number.
To find your ideal or personal best (PB) peak flow number do the following for 2 weeks:
Take peak flow readings when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Take peak flow readings before and after you take your inhaled medication. Keep track of the results and share them with your disease management nurse and your doctor.
The highest number you reach during the 2-week period is your personal best peak flow number.
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