NEBULIZATION PROCEDURE
PURPOSE: To deliver medication by a fine mist that is inhaled directly into the lungs.
INDICATION: For patients with asthma, difficulty of breathing, chronic bronchitis, chronic lung disease, COPD & other
respiratory disease.
EQUIPMENT: Nebulizer machine, Nebulizer kit (tubing, mouthpiece, or face mask), NSS, sterile water, medications for
inhalation, soap & clean towel or tissue paper.
PROCEDURE:
Before giving inhalation to the patient, the NURSE should:
1. Wash hands.
2. Check the doctor’s order. Observe the 5 R’s (RIGHT: person, medication, dose, route, & time)
3. Gather the needed equipment or materials needed.
4. Explain the procedure to the patient (for children below 5 years old, explain the procedure to their parents)
5. Prepare a calm space for your child. You may want to have a favorite book, a quiet game, or a television program
to engage your child during the treatment.
6. Check your child's medicine. Make sure it has not expired and is not damaged in any way.
7. Put all the parts of the nebulizer on a sturdy, flat surface.
8. Connect the tubing to the nebulizer machine and to the reservoir.
9. Measure the liquid medicine according to doctor’s order.
10. Pour the medicine into the medicine cup.
11. Attach the mouthpiece or mask.
12. Test the nebulizer by turning it on to make sure that a spray comes out. Then, turn it off.
During Nebulization:
1. Have your child sit in an upright, relaxed position.
2. Help your child relax if needed. You can do this by holding and comforting your child or having your child
engage in a quiet activity.
3. Do one of the following:
o If your child uses a mask to get the medicine, place it over your child's nose and mouth. It should fit
somewhat snugly, with no gaps around the nose or cheeks where medicine could escape.
o If your child uses a mouthpiece to get the medicine, place it in your child's mouth and have your child
press his or her lips firmly around the mouthpiece.
4. Turn on the nebulizer.
5. Once the medicine begins to mist out, have your child take slow and deep breaths in and out.
6. Have your child continue taking slow, deep breaths until the medicine in the nebulizer is gone and no mist
appears. This takes 10–15 minutes.
7. If the medicine is a corticosteroid, and your child is old enough to do so, have him or her rinse and spit with
water. If you child is too young to rinse his or her mouth, wipe the inside of the mouth and tongue with a wet
cloth. If using a mask, wash the face as well.
8. Do after care. Clean the mouthpeice or mask and medicine chamber by rinsing them after each use with sterile or
distilled water. Washing them 1–2 times a week using soap and warm water. Do not wash the tubing. After you
rinse or wash them, place the parts on a clean towel and let them air-dry completely. After they dry, reconnect the
pieces and turn the nebulizer on without any medicine in it. Doing this will blow air through the equipment to
help dry it out.
9. Store the nebulizer in a clean and dust-free place..Check the filter at least one time every week. Replace the filter
if it looks dirty.
10. Do gentle back & chest tapping after the procedure.
11. Document the procedure.
After Nebulization (Cleaning the nebulizer)
The nebulizer and all its parts must be kept very clean. Without proper cleaning, bacteria can grow inside the nebulizer. If
your child inhales the bacteria, he or she can get sick. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your child's
nebulizer. For most nebulizers, you should follow these guidelines:
Clean the mouthpiece or mask and the reservoir by:
o Rinsing them after each use. Use sterile or distilled water.
o Washing them 1–2 times a week using soap and warm water.
Do not wash the tubing.
After you rinse or wash them, place the parts on a clean towel and let them air-dry completely. After they dry,
reconnect the pieces and turn the nebulizer on without any medicine in it. Doing this will blow air through the
equipment to help dry it out.
Store the nebulizer in a clean and dust-free place.
Check the filter at least one time every week. Replace the filter if it looks dirty.
