COPD patients

[AussieKylie]

I have a question regarding COPD patients and when they need ventolin. Wondering is it medical air or oxygen that is required when COPD patient require nebulisers.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Everytime I have seen COPD patients receive nebs, it is definitely on oxygen. Room air would be dangerous. For a brief period of time (about 10 minutes), the rate of oxygen is turned up to deliver the neb. Hope this helps!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

nebulizer machines in the home work off of a compresser using room air.

http://www.drgreene.com/21_1340.html

my experience with hospitalized copd patients:

most receive nebulizer treatments using supplemental oxygen supply.

known co2 retainers and patients on vents, compressed air line was used.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=3046513&dopt=abstract

http://fclass.vaniercollege.qc.ca/~csuklyj/s00122db6.-1/humidifiers%20and%20nebulizers%20.doc?wasread=1

extensive info: european respiratory society guidelines on the use of nebulizers ...

[RRT/RN]

Everytime I have seen COPD patients receive nebs, it is definitely on oxygen. Room air would be dangerous. For a brief period of time (about 10 minutes), the rate of oxygen is turned up to deliver the neb. Hope this helps!

Not true that the oxygen would be dangerous. Not all COPD patients are sensitive to CO2, in fact, sometimes the few minutes of extra oxygen helps when the patient is SOB prior to treatment. We run our treatments on oxygen because that is the power source that is most readily available in the hospital and flow can be adjusted (not every room in our hospital has air outlets, but all have O2). If we have a known CO2 retainer, we bring in a portable compressor or pulmo-aid type of nebulizer, but that is usually not necessary. The oxygen flow is usually about 7 lpm for about 7-10 minutes, depending on the type of nebulizer circuit that is used and how much medication is being nebulized. (registered resp therapist)

[AussieKylie]

Thank you for answering my question. Appreciate it.

[webblarsk]

Not true that the oxygen would be dangerous. Not all COPD patients are sensitive to CO2, in fact, sometimes the few minutes of extra oxygen helps when the patient is SOB prior to treatment. We run our treatments on oxygen because that is the power source that is most readily available in the hospital and flow can be adjusted (not every room in our hospital has air outlets, but all have O2). If we have a known CO2 retainer, we bring in a portable compressor or pulmo-aid type of nebulizer, but that is usually not necessary. The oxygen flow is usually about 7 lpm for about 7-10 minutes, depending on the type of nebulizer circuit that is used and how much medication is being nebulized. (registered resp therapist)

I think she said room air would be dangerous? Not oxygen.