Directions for a Nebulizer

A nebulizer is a medical device used to inhale medicines, which helps them reach airways more effectively. Nebulizer treatments are particularly helpful for lung diseases. The most common nebulizers work by forcing compressed air through liquid medication, changing the medication into an aerosol mist. A patient inhales this medicated mist, which quickly absorbs into the respiratory membranes.

Assemble and Attach the Nebulizer

• Before assembling your nebulizer and attaching it to the air compressor, you will need to make sure it is clean, and you have washed your hands. Once these two important steps are completed, you are ready to assemble the nebulizer, add medicine, and attach the hose. First, you follow any instructions that come with your nebulizer to put the pieces together - most nebulizers are small plastic bowls or containers with screw top lids and points of attachment for mouthpieces and compressed air. Attach the mouthpiece or mask, depending on which you use. Next, measure the medicine and add it to the medicine cup in the nebulizer. Finally, attach the hose from the air compressor to the base of the nebulizer. Plug it in, and make sure it is turned on. To make sure you have attached it correctly, you can put your hand in front of the mouthpiece to make sure you feel a mist before you start using the nebulizer for a treatment.

Giving a Treatment

• If you are using a mouthpiece, place it between your teeth, and you close your mouth around it. If you are using a mask, place it over your nose and mouth. When the mist starts, breathe deeply for about three to five seconds. Then hold your breath for up to ten seconds, so the medication has time to get to your airways. Repeat until all the medication is used, and the machine is not misting. You can shake the medicine cup a little the first time the mist stops coming on a regular basis to make sure you are breathing in all the medication. Nebulizer treatments will usually take between 10 and 15 minutes. Some nebulizers will have a finger valve. You use this finger valve to control the misting. To start the mist, you cover the finger valve with your finger. When you are holding you breath to keep the mist in, you let your finger off the valve to stop the misting. Put your finger back on the valve when you are ready to breathe deeply again.

Care and Cleaning of Equipment

• After each use, the nebulizer needs to be taken apart and cleaned. The hose that connects the nebulizer to the air compressor does not need to be cleaned, so set it aside. Wash the nebulizer parts in soapy water, then rinse the soap out with clean water and dry the parts off with a clean paper towel or cloth. You can put the nebulizer back together, attach it to the air compressor, and turn it on to help dry out the parts. This should take less than 30 seconds. Do not store the nebulizer until it is completely dry. If you are using the nebulizer every day for a week or two, then you will need to clean it with water and vinegar every other day. Soak all parts of the nebulizer, except the hose, in a solution of three parts water and one part distilled white vinegar. Soak the parts for about an hour before, then wash them off, dry them, and reattach them. Again, you can attach the nebulizer to the air compressor for quick drying. Clean the surface of the compressor with a damp cloth.