Author Question: A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving heated water aerosol ... (Read 42 times)

renzo156 · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving heated water aerosol treatments through a jet nebulizer four times daily as a supplement to other bronchial hygiene measures designed to aid in mobilizing retained secretions.

After each session, you notice the presence of moderate wheezing. Which of the following rec-ommendations would you make to the physician?
a. Discontinue the heated water aerosol treatments.
b. Consider prior treatment with a broncho-dilator.
c. Switch to a higher-density aerosol (e.g., ultrasonic).
d. Discontinue the other bronchial hygiene measures.

Question 2

A neonatologist is concerned about the possibility of hearing damage occurring to a premature infant receiving bland water aerosol delivered via air-entrainment nebulizers inside an incubator or isolette.

Which of the following would you recommend as the best way to overcome this problem?
a. Use a heated passover humidifier instead.
b. Use an ultrasonic nebulizer system instead.
c. Place sound baffles in the aerosol tubing.
d. Place earplugs in the infant's outer ears.

Meganchabluk · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
If the physician still requests bland aerosol therapy for such a patient, pretreatment with a bron-chodilator may be needed.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The best way to avoid this problem and further minimize infection risks is to use heated passover humidification instead of nebulization.