What it means
A device that delivers inhaled drugs such as bronchodilatorbrong-koh-DY-lay-terA drug that relaxes the muscles around the airways so they open wider.bronch/o airwaydilat widen-or one that doesFull entry or steroids during normal breathing over several minutes. It is useful for young children, very short-of-breath clients and anyone who cannot use an inhalerin-HAY-lerA hand-held device that delivers a measured dose of drug for a person to breathe into the lungs.Full entry well.
For the nurse
Have the client sit upright and breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth until the mist stops. Check heart rate, breath sounds and oxygen saturation before and after. Rinse and dry the parts after each use.
At a glance
| Spanish | nebulizador |
|---|---|
| Also written | nebulizers, nebulized |
Related terms
respiratory therapist
A licensed health worker who treats breathing problems and runs equipment such as oxygen, inhaled treatments and ventilators.
asthma
A long-term lung disease in which the airways become inflamed and narrow from time to time.
bronchodilator
A drug that relaxes the muscles around the airways so they open wider.
inhaler
A hand-held device that delivers a measured dose of drug for a person to breathe into the lungs.