[NRSKarenRN]

Good CEU article:
Assessing and Managing Dyspnea

http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/ce/ce272.htm

I've never given aerosoled Morphine. Is it like a mini-neb TX?...info please.

[SharonHopson]

I've had a couple of pts w/ orders for morphine per neb. All had a dx. of COPD. Usual dosage is 0.5mg per neb QID. Only one man used it on a regular basis . He told me it really helped him breathe easier and helped him relax. The other two HATED it. One said the after-taste was so bad it minimized any benefits she was getting from it. My other pt. said he didn't like the way it tasted and said he didn't see any benefit from it. (He's actually getting better w/o it!) I haven't noted any wheezing the past 4 or 5 visits but the crackles are still there, of course.

Hope this helped!

Sharon

[NRSKarenRN]

Thanks!.

Do you give seperately or do you co-administer in albuterol neb?

[SharonHopson]

don't mix w/ albuterol. Using a filtered needle, mix the morphine w/ 3cc NS in the neb.
Sharon

[aimeee]

Why do you need to use a filtered needle?

[SharonHopson]

I don't know. The pharmacy just always sends them when morphine is ordered per neb.

Probably, and I'm just guessing, because the morphine is being drawn up into a syringe and being used in a neb. BUT the morphine comes in single dose vials and sterile syringes are being used, so I wouldn't think possible contamination would be a problem. Good question!

Anyone know why filtered needles are used?

Sharon

[NRSKarenRN]

If the morphine is taken from an ampule, the filter will prevent minute glass shards from being drawn into the syringe and possibly inhaled. used a filter straw when preparing mucomyst neb treatments in the 1980' ( rotten egg smelling stuff!)

[SharonHopson]

Of course!

Thanks,

Sharon

[aimeee]

Oh sure, I knew a filtered needle for stuff from an ampule...just don't generally see morphine in ampules. I had Roxanol in my head.

Mucumyst--yes, that IS stinky stuff!

[nursechris1]

We always use nebulized roxanol. Comes in bottle with a dropper, patient can titrate as needed. I have one patient, who is a nurse, who says she would be willing to tell any skeptics how wonderful it works for dyspnea.