Back in July 2010, I wrote about using the Candleflame app to encourage pediatric patients to take deep breaths for a pulmonary exam. This app has also been useful in helping me roughly gauge the patient’s peak flow.

Trick of the trade

Balloonimals app

What kid doesn’t love balloon animals? You can download the Balloonimals “Lite” app on your iPhone for free. Have the child blow forcefully at the mouthpiece of your iPhone. This will inflate a balloon. Shaking your iPhone will magically convert the balloon into a cute T-Rex dinosaur. Touching the screen will animate the 3D dinosaur. Touching the air pump icon will pop the balloon.

Balloonimals Lite app
[iTunes app store]

For an extra $1.99, you can download the full version, which includes different balloon animals.

Thanks to Dr. Susan Brim (UCSF-SFGH EM resident) for the tip! Disclosure: I do not have any affiliations with the company.

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