Aerosol Drug Therapy Flashcards
What is Aerosol Drug Therapy?
Aerosol Drug Therapy refers to a method of administering medications in the form of tiny powder or liquid particles that are suspended in gas.
Due to their size, the particles can be inhaled into the airways of the lungs in order to promote bronchodilation, relieve mucosal edema, loosen thick secretions, and/or perform the mechanism of action that is necessary for the patient.
What does the aerosol particle size depend on?
It depends on the substance being nebulized, the method used to generate the aerosol, and the environmental conditions surrounding the particle.
How are medical aerosols generated in the clinical setting?
They are generated with devices that physically disperse matter into small particles and suspend them in gas.
How does a large volume ultrasonic nebulizer work?
It incorporates air blowers to carry mist to the patient for delivery of bland aerosol therapy or sputum induction.
How do ultrasonic nebulizers work?
They use a piezoelectric crystal to produce aerosols. The crystal converts electrical energy into high frequency vibrations to produce aerosol. Output is directly affected by amplitude setting
How is Aerosol Output measured?
By collecting the aerosol that leaves a nebulizer and collects on special filters.
How are DPIs categorized?
They are categorized by the design of their dose containers.
How often do you assess a patient on continuous nebulization?
Assess them every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours then hourly after that for adverse drug responses.
How do you prime an MDI?
Shake the device and release one or more sprays into the air when the MDI is new or hasn’t been used in a while.
What affects MDI performance and drug delivery?
Low temperature decreases the output of the CFC MDI’s. Debris build up on nozzle or actuator orifice reduces the emitted dose.
What are 3 examples of aerosol devices?
Atomizers, Nebulizers, and Inhalers
What are beneficial characteristics of using an MDI?
They are portable, compact, and easy to use.
What are heterodispersed aerosols?
They are aerosols with particles of different sizes.
What are key mechanisms of aerosol deposition?
Inertial impaction, Gravimetric sedimentation, and Brownian diffusion.
What are the medication delivery issues for infants and children?
They have smaller airway diameters, faster breathing rates, nose breathing filters out large particles, lower minute volumes, and spontaneous patient cooperation can be an issue.
