Asthma Medication Delivery Devices
Administering Compressor Nebulizer With Mask
This method works in very young children and in those who get too tight with asthma to take deep breaths.
Instructions
- Measure medication into the cup below the mask and add normal saline if needed.
- Put the mask over your child’s nose and mouth.
- Switch on the compressor.
- Your child must sit for 10 to 15 minutes with the mask on, until all the medication in the cup has been breathed in.
- Usually young children will initially fight to resist this system and then accept this once they feel the benefits it provides.
Helpful hints
- Place the compressor on a table or flat surface when in use.
- Rinse the nebulizer with warm water after each use.
- Wash the nebulizer kit and mask weekly in vinegar and water as described in the owner’s manual.
- Change the compressor filter once a month or when it turns gray in color.
- Make sure that the normal saline or pre-prepared dosages are preservative free.
- Encourage your child to either sit on your lap, play a game or watch TV while receiving his/her medication in order to make the treatment as enjoyable as possible.
Using inhalers properly is not always easy, but can help your child enjoy successful treatment at home and less frequent trips to the hospital.
If despite your best efforts with inhaled medications your child’s asthma is not well controlled or worsens, seek medical attention immediately!