It is the process  of administering medicine through inhalation by means of a nebulizer which transports medicine to the lungs in the form of mist.

Indication 

• Bronchospasm
• Chest tightness
• Excessive and thick mucus secretion
• Respiratory congestion
• Pneumonia
• Atelectasis
• Asthma

Contraindication 

• Patient with unstable and increased blood pressure
• Cardiac irritability(may result to dysrhythmias)
• Increased pulse rate

Article Required

Nebulizer and connecting tubes, compressor or oxygen tank, mouthpiece/mask, medicine to be administered like asthaline, ipravane, normal saline, disposable syringe , sputum mug and a glass of water.

Procedure 

• Identify patient and explain the procedure.
• Position the patient in fowlers position to allow optimal ventilation.
• Assess and record breath sound, respiratory status and pulse rate.
• Explain the proper way of breathing during inhalation as
• Have a slow inhalation, make a short pause after inhalation and then slowly have a complete exhalation.
• Take some resting breaths before another deep inhalation.
• Continue this process of breathing until the mist stops coming.
• Prepare equipments and wash hands. Check doctors order for medicine to use.
• Unscrew top of the nebulizer cup and put prescribed medicine with normal saline.
• Attach nebulizer to the compressed gas source and connecting tubes to nebulizer.
• Plug on air compressor into an electric outlet. Turn the machine on(notice the mist produced by the nebulizer)
• Put face mask into patient mouth and instruct to inhale and exhale as instructed before.
• Provide assistance to the patient throughout the procedure.
• Continue to inhale until mist stops. Once liquid is gone, the mist will stop coming out.
• Turn the machine off and assist to remove.
• Keep the patient in comfortable position.
• Offer a glass of water to rinse the mouth as asthalin give unusual taste.
• Provide chest physiotherapy and assist in deep breathing and coughing exercise and help to expel the sputum in case of steam inhalation for removing secretion.
• Observe sputum for its color and consistency. Replace article after procedure.
• Reassess patient status for breath sound. respiratory status and pulse rate.
• Document the information regarding the procedure.

Complication

• Palpitation
• Tremor
• Tachycardia
• Headache
• Nausea
• Bronchospasm