A jet nebulizer changes liquid medication into an aerosol that can be inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask. Nebulizers are used in the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema as well as other respiratory disorders.
History
The Pneumostat, invented in the 1930s, was the first electronic nebulizer. The pneumostat aerosolized medication using an electrical air compressor. Because of cost and limited availability of electricity, most people continued to use a hand-driven nebulizer called the Park-Davis Glaseptic.
Benefits
Nebulizer treatments can be given to infants, children and adults by replacing the mouthpiece with an adult or pediatric aerosol mask. Medication administration is easy, as several respiratory drugs come in unit-dose vials that are simply squeezed into the nebulizer cup.
Considerations
The nebulizer is portable, lightweight and easy to use; however, the air compressor requires a power source to generate air to aerosolize the medication. The nebulizer should be thoroughly cleaned after each treatment to avoid contamination.
Function
Those using jet nebulizers first must connect the tubing to the air compressor and the nebulizer. A mask or mouthpiece connects to the nebulizer, and medication goes in the nebulizer cup. About five seconds after the air compressor is turned on, a fine mist appears. Patients breathe through the mouthpiece or mask. Each treatment takes seven to 10 minutes.
Types
Nebulized medications include bronchodilators such as Proventil and Ventolin, anti-inflammatories such as Pulmicort, mucolytics such as Mucomyst, inhaled opiates and anti-infectives such as Nebcin.
