minutes. Some people use a nose
• Dispose of nebulizer tubing that
Use of Nebulizer
Definition:
Nebulizers - deliver a stream of
medicated air to the lungs over a
period of time.
Nebulizers - are used to treat
asthma, Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and
other conditions where inhaled
medicines are indicated.
Procedure:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly
before you use a nebulizer and
make sure the equipment is clean.
2. If using a multi-dose bottle of
medicine when you use a nebulizer,
use a dropper to administer the
correct dosage of medication into
the cup with saline solution. If the
medicine is in single-use vials, twist
the top off the plastic vial and
squeeze the contents into the
nebulizer cup.
3. Connect the mouthpiece, or
mask, to the T-shaped elbow.
Fasten the unit to the cup. For
children older than 2, using a
mouthpiece is recommended
because it will deliver more
medication than a mask. Place the
mouthpiece in your mouth. Breathe
through your mouth until all the
medicine is used, about 10-15
finger over the valve hole.
clip to help them breathe only
through the mouth. Some people
prefer to use a mask
4. Connect the nebulizer tubing to
the port on the compressor.
5. Turn the compressor on and
check the nebulizer for misting.
When using a finger valve, cover
the air hole to force air into the
nebulizer. If you are not using a
finger valve, the nebulizer will mist
continually.
6. To use a nebulizer correctly, hold
it in an upright position. This will
prevent spillage.
7. When you use a nebulizer, sit in a
comfortable, upright position. Place
the mouthpiece between your teeth
and close your lips around it. When
using a mask, be sure it fits well so
the mist doesn’t get into your eyes.
8. Gently exhale. As the mist starts,
inhale slowly through your mouth.
Take over three to five seconds for
each breath while keeping your
9. Hold your breath for up to 10
seconds before exhaling. This allows
the medication time to deposit in
the airway.
10. At the end of a deep breath,
uncover the finger valve hole to
stop the mist.
11. When you use a nebulizer,
occasionally tap the side of the
nebulizer to help the medication
drop to where it can be misted.
12. Continue until the medicine is
gone from the cup. The nebulizer
will most likely begin sputtering
when it is empty.
13. Wash the medicine cup
and mouthpiece with water,
and air-dry until your next
treatment
Follow these tips before and
after you use a nebulizer:
• Order replacement supplies now
so they will be on hand when
needed.
• After you use a nebulizer, clean it
according to instructions.
Neglecting to do so will promote
bacteria growth.
• Store your nebulizer and supplies
in a clean, dry, and dust-free
location.
becomes cloudy or retains moisture.
• Replace disposable parts, tubing,
and filters according to
manufacturer’s instructions. Using
a nebulizer cup longer than
indicated will result in slower, less
efficient delivery of medication.
• When you use a nebulizer, always
use a mask or mouthpiece when
giving or taking a treatment.
Simply aiming the mist at a baby’s
face does not ensure that any
medication reaches small, swollen
airways.
• If treating infants and toddlers,
purchase supplies that can be used
when the child is in a reclined
position or sleeping.
• Keep nebulizer batteries charged
or have replacement batteries
handy.
• Only use medications made
specifically for nebulizers. When
you use a nebulizer, only use
medications approved by the Food
and Drug Administration as
manufactured by a pharmaceutical
company or licensed agent only.
These agents are sterile, contain no
contaminants or unwanted
particles, and are mixed in exact
proportions.
Oxygen Therapy
Definition:
Oxygen therapy – is the
administration of oxygen as a
therapeutic modality. It is
prescribed by the physician, who
specifies the concentration, method
of delivery, and liter flow per
minute.
Benefits of Oxygen Therapy:

Additional Benefits of Oxygen
Therapy:
• Increased clarity
• Relieves nausea
• Can prevent heart failure in
people with severe lung
disease
• Allows the bodies organs to
carry out normal functions
Long-Term Benefits of Oxygen
Therapy:
• Prolongs life by reducing
heart strain
• Decreases shortness of
breath
• Makes exercise more
tolerable
• Results in fewer days of • It delivers a
hospitalization
relatively low
concentration of
oxygen which is 24%
to 45% at flow rates
of 2 to 6 liters per
minute.
2. Face Mask
• It covers the client’s
nose and mouth may
be used for oxygen
inhalation.
• Exhalation ports on
the sides of the mask
allow exhaled carbon
dioxide to escape.
Types of Face Masks:
1. Simple Face Mask
- Delivers oxygen
Oxygen Delivery
Systems concentrations from
40% to 60% at liter
1. Nasal Cannula flows of 5 to 8 liters
• Also called nasal per minute,
prongs. respectively.
• Is the most common 2. Partial Rebreather
inexpensive device Mask – Delivers
used to administer oxygen
oxygen. concentration of 60%
to 90% at liter flows
• It is easy to apply
of 6 to 10 liters per
and does not
minute, respectively.
interfere with the
client’s ability to eat 3. Non Rebreather
or talk. Mask – Delivers the
highest oxygen
concentration
 3. Face Tent 2. Place cautionary oils, greases, alcohol,
• It can replace signs reading “No ether, and acetone
oxygen masks when Smoking: Oxygen in (e.g. nail polish
masks are poorly use” on the clients remover), near
tolerated by clients. door, at the foot or clients receiving
head of the bed, and oxygen.
possible 95% to • It provide varying on the oxygen
concentrations of 7. Ground electric
100% – by means equipment.
oxygen such as 30% monitoring
other than intubation
to 50% 3. Instruct the client equipment, suction
or mechanical
concentration of and visitors about machines and
ventilation, at liter
oxygen at 4 to 8 the hazard of portable diagnostic
flows of 10 to 15
liters per minute. smoking with oxygen machines.
liters per minute.
use. Make known the location
4. Venturi Mask – 4. Transtracheal
Oxygen Delivery 4. Make sure that of the fire extinguishers,
Delivers oxygen
electric devices and make sure personnel
concentrations • It may be used for (such as razors, are trained in
varying from 24% to oxygen-dependent hearing aids, radios,
40% or 50% at liter clients. televisions, and
flows of 4 to 10 liters
• The client requires hearing pads) are in
per minute.
less oxygen (0.5 to 2 good working order
liters per minute) to prevent the
because all of the occurrence of short-
low delivered enters circuit sparks.
the lungs. 5. Avoids materials that
Oxygen Therapy Safety generate static
Precautions: electricity, such as
woolen blankets and
1. For home oxygen
synthetic fabrics.
use or when the
Cotton blankets
facility permits
should be used , and
smoking, teach
client and caregivers
family members and
should be advised to
roommates to smoke
wear cotton fabrics.
only outside or in
provided smoking 6. Avoid the use of
rooms away from the volatile, flammable
client. materials such as