Administering nebulised medication

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Introduction

• Wash hands; Introduce self; Patient’s name, DOB and wrist band; Explain procedure and obtain consent
• Allergy check: check for allergies with patient and on drug chart
• Prescription check: check the prescription drug and dose, and confirm the name and DOB are correct (check with patient and their wristband)

Preparation 

• Wash hands 
• Gather equipment (think through what you need in order)

Equipment list

• Mouthpiece or facemask
• Nebuliser
• Tubing
• Drug nebule – CHECK DATE, DOSE, PRESCRIPTION AND ALLERGIES
• Nebuliser compressor machine or compressed air/oxygen supply

• Assemble the nebuliser and tubing
• Attach mouthpiece
• Wash hands
• Put on gloves
• Open the nebuliser drug chamber (just below the mouthpiece)
• Squeeze the drug nebule to pour it into the chamber  
• Close the nebuliser drug chamber
• Discard waste; then discard gloves; wash hands
• Walk to patient

Procedure

• Wash hands 
• Give the mouthpiece or facemask to the patient
  • Mouthpiece: lips should create a seal around it
  • Facemask: should fit well around patient’s face
• Connect the nebuliser tubing to the compressor machine or compressed air/oxygen supply (flow 6-8L/minute)              
• Ask the patient to breathe in and out normally
• When nebule has fully nebulised, turn off compressor or compressed air/oxygen supply and remove mouthpiece or facemask from patient

To complete

• Thank patient 
• Discard waste; then discard gloves; wash hands
• Sign on the drug chart that the drug has been administered

Try some questions

How are nebulisers best administered?

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Which medications are commonly used via nebuliser for asthma/COPD and what are the doses and maximum frequencies of use?

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