Nebuliser Treatment Monitoring at Home

Judge the treatment by delivery and clinical response

Record diagnosis and purpose, medicine name and strength, exact dose, diluent, scheduled and rescue frequency, maximum use, expected effect and common adverse effects. Check compressor filter and tubing, chamber integrity, interface, power supply and any prescribed oxygen arrangement before pouring the dose.

During treatment keep the chamber in the required position and observe breathing pattern, speech, distress, tremor, palpitations, dizziness and whether mist production continues. Afterwards reassess the prescribed observations and practical function, then wash, rinse, disinfect or replace components exactly as directed and let applicable parts dry without recontamination.

• Complete medicine and rescue plan
• Working clean delivery system
• Observed treatment tolerance
• Measured response and equipment care

Compare breathing before and after against the personal action plan

Use the measures chosen for that person: breathlessness, work of breathing, speech, wheeze, respiratory rate, pulse, alertness, colour and prescribed oxygen saturation target. Note whether secretions loosened and whether the expected relief occurred; a familiar nebuliser should not delay assessment when the person is deteriorating.

Severe breathlessness, inability to speak normally, blue or grey colour, exhaustion, confusion, collapse, chest pain or rapidly worsening symptoms requires emergency help. Seek prompt clinical advice when relief is absent or short-lived, treatment is needed more often, side effects are marked, oxygen needs change or the device cannot deliver the prescribed dose.