This is a nebulizer with a mask. There are different
nebulizer cups. Your health care provider will tell you which cup
to use for your child's medicine. Always use a
snug-fitting mask that covers your child's nose and mouth.
Different nebulizers can be used to deliver your medicines. In
order to get the medicine into the lungs, children under the
age of seven usually need to use a mask. Older children will
learn to use a mouthpiece. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap
and water before use. Plug the compressor machine into an
electrical outlet. Place one hand on the bottom of the
nebulizer cup and the other hand on top. Twist the top of the cup
counter-clockwise to open it. If the medicine is in a multiple
dose container, draw up the recommended amount of medicine
with a dropper or syringe and place it into the nebulizer.
Then add saline if recommended. If the medicine is in a
pre-mixed single dose vial, open the vial. Pour the medication
into the nebulizer cup. Replace the nebulizer top by twisting
clockwise until secure. Attach the adapter to the mask. Attach
the adapter to the nebulizer cup. Plug one side of the clear
plastic tubing to the compressor machine. Attach the other side
of the tubing to the nebulizer cup. Be careful not to tip over
the nebulizer and spill the medicine. Place the mask on the
child's face and secure with a strap. Check the seal of the
mask so that it fits snugly over the nose and mouth. It is very
important that the mask fit well. Attach the nebulizer to
the mask. The child should sit upright and be awake during the
nebulizer treatment. Turn on the compressor machine. The liquid
medicine will start to bubble and a fine mist will come out.
If the nebulizer is not creating mist, pour out the medicine,
rinse with sterile water, and start over. If you still do not
see a mist, replace the nebulizer cup. The child should
breathe in and out normally until all medication is gone. A
treatment should take about 10 minutes, depending on the
nebulizer. If possible, take an extra deep breath every 10
breaths and hold for 5 to 10 seconds before breathing out
slowly. Tap the cup so droplets of medicine on the sides can be
nebulized. You may see and hear sputtering in the nebulizer cup
at the end of the treatment. All medicine should be gone before
turning the machine off. If the mask is not touching the child's
face during the treatment, the medicine will be lost into the
air and will not get into your child's lungs. Do not blow the
medicine in or near your child's face. This will irritate his
eyes and less medicine will get into the lungs. When the
medicine treatment has finished, wipe your child's face. If the
medicine is an inhaled steroid, have your child rinse his or her
mouth and brush his or her teeth after each treatment. Make sure
you rinse and spit and don't swallow! After each treatment,
take the nebulizer apart and remove the mask. Remove any
mucus from the mask and clean it with hot, soapy water. Rinse.
Allow it to air dry. Rinse the medicine out of the nebulizer
with sterile water after each treatment. You can make sterile
water by boiling tap water for 5 to 10 minutes. Then let it cool.
Shake off any excess water and air dry by placing on a paper
towel. Clean and disinfect the mask and nebulizer once a week.
Clean the nebulizer by washing all its parts with soap and warm
water. Rinse with clean water. To disinfect, soak the nebulizer
parts in a solution of one part distilled white vinegar and
three parts warm water. Rinse with sterile water. Patients
with cystic fibrosis should clean and disinfect their pari
nebulizers after each treatment. Shake off any excess water and
air dry by placing on a paper towel.