Administering nebulised medication

Please note content is for educational purposes only and procedures should not conducted based on this information. OSCEstop and authors take no responsibility for errors or for the use of any content.

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

A patient presents to ED with chest pain and this trace. What would you do?

Interpretation management

Covered in OSCE Stations

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?

Oops! This section is restricted to members. Click here to signup!

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

Oops! This section is restricted to members. Click here to signup!