What should a respiratory therapist do when a patient has difficulty keeping their lips tight around the IPPB mouthpiece?

When a patient has difficulty keeping their lips tight around the Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB) mouthpiece, utilizing a mouth seal is the most appropriate action. A mouth seal creates a proper seal around the mouthpiece, ensuring that the positive pressure delivered during the therapy effectively reaches the patient's lungs without leakage.

Maintaining an adequate seal is crucial for the therapy to provide the intended benefits, as leaks can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. A mouth seal can provide the stability and security needed for the patient to benefit from the IPPB therapy, enhancing the efficacy of their inhalation and the delivery of medication if involved.

Other options like decreasing sensitivity or inspiratory pressure do not address the issue of maintaining a proper seal, and switching to an incentive spirometer would not be appropriate since it serves a different purpose and may not facilitate the same therapeutic effect as IPPB.