💨 Nebulizer Therapy for Respiratory Support
Scene: Administering a Nebulizer Treatment
Nurse:
Good morning, Kim. My name is Sarah, and I’ll be your nurse today. Your physician has prescribed a nebulizer treatment to help improve your breathing. This therapy is often used when patients experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or other respiratory symptoms due to conditions like asthma, COPD, or bronchitis. I’ll guide you through each step and explain what’s happening. If you feel uncomfortable or have any questions at any time, just let me know, okay?
Patient:
Good morning, Sarah. Thank you. I’ve never used a nebulizer before. Is there anything I need to do or prepare for?
Nurse:
It’s a very simple and non-invasive procedure, and I’ll be here to help you throughout. First, let’s make sure you’re seated in a comfortable position. Could you please sit upright in your chair with your back supported and your feet flat on the floor? Sitting upright like this helps the medication get deeper into your lungs.
Patient:
Okay, like this?
Nurse:
Yes, that’s perfect. A semi-Fowler’s position like this is ideal for optimal lung expansion. Now, I’ll go ahead and set up the nebulizer machine.
🔧 Equipment Setup
(Nurse performs hand hygiene and gathers the nebulizer kit, which includes the medication chamber, T-piece, mouthpiece, and oxygen tubing.)
Nurse:
First, I’ll connect the nebulizer tubing to the compressor machine. Next, I’ll add the prescribed medication dosage to the nebulizer cup. It looks like your doctor has prescribed a bronchodilator, which helps open your airways so that breathing becomes easier.
(Nurse checks the medication label carefully before opening the vial and pouring it into the chamber.)
Nurse:
Now that the medication is in the chamber, I’ll attach the T-piece, the mouthpiece, and the air inlet tubing. Everything is now ready. I’m going to turn on the machine so it can start converting the liquid medication into a fine mist that you’ll inhale directly into your lungs.
(Turns on the nebulizer, observing for steady mist production.)
😮💨 Instructions for Inhalation
Patient:
What do I need to do now?
Nurse:
Please hold the mouthpiece and place it gently between your lips. Be sure to seal your lips tightly around it so no mist escapes. Now, breathe in deeply and slowly through your mouth. After each inhalation, exhale gently—also through your mouth. Just continue breathing like this until the medication is finished, which usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Patient:
Okay, like this?
Nurse:
Yes, that’s perfect. Try to avoid breathing through your nose during the treatment, as the mist needs to go directly into your lungs. I’ll stay here and monitor your breathing, your oxygen saturation, and any potential side effects throughout the session.
⚠️ Monitoring and Side Effect Education
Nurse:
It’s normal to experience a slightly fast heartbeat, mild jitteriness, or a dry throat—especially with bronchodilator medications. These are common and typically temporary. However, if you feel any chest pain, severe dizziness, or a sudden worsening in breathing, please let me know immediately.
Patient:
Understood. I’ll let you know if anything feels strange.
Nurse:
Great. I’m also going to assess your breathing before and after the treatment. I’ll use my stethoscope to listen to your lung sounds, and I’ll check if your breathing rate and depth improve after therapy. This helps us evaluate how effective the nebulizer is for you.
🧼 Post-Treatment Procedures
Nurse:
Okay, the mist has stopped, which means the medication is fully administered. I’ll now turn off the machine and remove the mouthpiece.
(Nurse carefully removes and begins disassembling the nebulizer equipment.)
Nurse:
Now, I’ll clean the reusable parts. The medication cup, T-piece, and mouthpiece will be rinsed with lukewarm running water and left to air-dry on a clean towel. It’s important to clean these parts after every use to prevent bacterial buildup. Just so you know, the oxygen tubing doesn’t need to be washed, as it only carries filtered air.
Patient:
Do I need to do anything special after using it?
Nurse:
Yes, if the medication includes a corticosteroid, it’s very important to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after the treatment. This helps prevent side effects such as oral thrush or dryness. Even if your medication is not a steroid, rinsing your mouth helps clear away any residue and keeps your throat comfortable.
Patient:
Got it. Anything else I should know?
Nurse:
Yes. If you’ll be using a nebulizer at home, it’s crucial to replace the air filter in the compressor every few weeks, depending on usage. A clogged filter can reduce the efficiency of the machine. I can demonstrate how to check and replace the filter later if needed.
📋 Post-Treatment Assessment and Documentation
Nurse:
Alright, Kim, you did very well. Your breathing sounds clearer, and your respiratory rate has improved. I’ll document your response to the treatment in your medical chart, including your pre- and post-treatment assessments and any symptoms observed.
Patient:
Thank you, Sarah. That was easier than I thought it would be. I feel like I can breathe more freely now.
Nurse:
That’s wonderful to hear. I’ll check on you again later today to see how you’re feeling and to determine if another treatment is needed. If your breathing becomes difficult again, or if you notice anything unusual like a persistent cough, wheezing, or chest tightness, press the call button right away.
🧑🏫 Educational Notes for Nursing Students
- Indications: Nebulizer therapy is commonly used for conditions such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and other respiratory diseases.
- Medication types: Can include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, mucolytics, or saline.
- Monitoring:
- Assess respiratory rate, lung sounds, and SpO₂ before and after treatment.
- Watch for adverse effects like tachycardia, nervousness, or bronchospasm.
- Patient education:
- Explain the purpose of the therapy and expected outcomes.
- Instruct on proper breathing technique during treatment.
- Educate on cleaning and maintenance of nebulizer parts if using at home.
- Infection control: Nebulizer kits should be cleaned after every use and replaced as per facility protocol.
- Documentation:
- Record medication administered, delivery method, patient response, side effects, and any teaching provided.
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