HS 4 Respiratory Care
Medicated Aerosol Therapy
• Bronchodilate= to open the airway
• Aerosal= does not travel through the body> inhaled in
the lungs
– (do not get systemic effect which can R/I N/V/D and H/A’s)
– Advantages
• Smaller doses of drug because inhaled directly into lungs (If oral
would travel through stomach/intestines then bloodstream (where
it could dilute) and finally act on the lungs)
• Acts quickly= fast absorption of drug
• Decreased SE
• Convenient, easy, painless
• Can be used at home (reducing hospital admissions)
• Disadvantages
– Difficult to administer correct dosage each time
– Difficult to teach pt how to use device correctly
(ex- Parkinson’s)
– Healthcare provider may not know how to use
themself
Types of drugs given by aerosol
• 1. Nasal decongestants= contain vasoconstrictors R/I
decrease blood flow to vessels of the nose (decreasing
blood flow makes vessels shrink R/I nasal passages opening
up and allow for air to flow more easily)
• 2. Bronchodilators= drugs that increase the diameter of
airways of lungs
• 3. Antiasthmatics= reduce the allergic response (b/c
allergies often trigger asthma attack)
• 4. Corticosteriods= used for anti-inflammatory
maintenance therapy moderate to severe asthma
• 5. Mucolytics= breakdown secretions within the lungs;
when broken down easier to cough out
• 6. Antimicrobials= aerosolized antibiotics
Aerosol Delivery System
• *Must teach pt proper technique for using
aerosol device to maximize amount of
medication that actually gets into the lungs
• Several types Available=
– Most frequent used is the metered dose inhaler
• Contains a canister that has a pressurized gas
propellant and medication
To Evaluate Aerosol Therapy
• Auscultate before treatment to establish
baseline> note any abnormal breaths/lungs
sounds
• Auscultate after treatment> Clear?
• Ask if pt feels better
– Can they breathe easier?
– Speak better?
Administer pulmonary function test before and after
treatment
Hyperinflation Therapy
• Involves treatments designed to prevent or treat
lung collapse
• Also called lung expansion therapy
• *Atelectasis= partial or full lung collapse
• Lung collapse can develop when a pt consistently
breathes small amounts of air and does not fully
expand lungs
– Usually occurs when pt is sedated or in pain
– Prevention= requires deep breathing or secretion
removal to open airways
Indications for Hyperinflation
Therapy
• Anyone who has anything that impairs their
ability to take deep breaths and cough
– EX: surgery of chest/upper abd region
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Heavily sedated
Neuromuscular disease
Spinal cord injuries
Bedridden
Chronic lung disease> excessive mucous production (CF,
chronic bronchitis)
Incentive Spirometry
• *most common hyperinflation therapy
– Performed using devices that give pt a visual clue by showing the pt numbers
signifying volume
– Pt can see that volume/flow is reached
Indications
-upper abd surgery
-chest surgery
-COPD pt undergoing of have undergone surgery
-bedridden
** Main reason is to prevent or treat existing atelectasis
Contraindications
-pt cannot be instructed/supervised on proper use of the device
-unconscious pts or unable to speak
• Asthma pt would need a ________________
• COPD pt undergoing surgery would need
____________________
• Lung disease and just had surgery __________