How Does the Medical Assistant Perform a Nasal Irrigation?

Nasal irrigation can relieve congestion and irritation in both children and adults by flushing out mucus and irritants. You can give yourself a nasal irrigation at home, but you may be more comfortable having a medical assistant perform the procedure in a doctor's office.

Preparation

• The medical assistant will use a few simple tools, such as a bulb syringe, salt and a small basin, according to the Mayo Clinic website. With clean hands, the medical assistant will mix 1/4-teaspoon salt with two cups of lukewarm water (roughly 98.6 degrees) to match your body fluids' salinity. Next, the syringe will be filled completely with the salted water, removing any air.

The Procedure

• The assistant will have you bend over the basin, leaning slightly forward. The syringe's tip will be inserted into your nose for a fingertip's width, angling it toward your eye's outer corner. The medical assistant will slowly squeeze the bulb, gently squirt the water into your nose and let it drain out. The procedure will be repeated on the other nostril, then again with a second full syringe.

Clean Up

• When finished, the medical assistant will give you a washcloth to dry off and the procedure will be over.