Normal Saline in a nebulizer?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Nov 11, 2006

We had a pt who was having a lot of SOB/DB. The RT put her on some cool mist, and that seemed to really do the trick.

I can see how that would work, the NS nebulizer. It's almost like a lavage. Like when I'm suctioning out a ETT and the mucus is too think, I just squirt a little saline bullet into the tube to help loosen it up.

kukukajoo, LPN · Nov 11, 2006

Yes it works very well. Think of the vent tents- same concept almost. The nebulizer mists the NS and that in turn loosens the secretions and thins them out. Good way to go without drugs if it works for you.

I think I remember two friends (sisters) who had CF used to get chest PT and would also use this during the day at various times as well as during PT to help loosen. We would have to stop playing so they could get the treatments!

Crocuta, RN · Nov 11, 2006

It's great for little kiddo's with various respiratory and airway issues. Fill the chamber with saline and give it to mom or dad to just hold nearby in a blow-by position. Kids tolerate it better than a mask and they get the added benefit of position of comfort in the parent's arms.

TazziRN, RN · Nov 11, 2006

It's great for older people with coughs that you need a sputum sample from. Have RT give a saline nebulizer and it loosens things up enough to bring it up. All you do is request RT to come and induce a sputum collection.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2006

Our pulmonary specialists are starting to prescribe this a LOT for the patients with CF and are seeing a BIG difference- one of the doctors told us it started out when a guy with CF who lived in Australia and liked to surf, started noticing that after a long day on the waves he would have a much more frequent cough and able to bring up a lot of mucus and feel much better for several days. It's pretty cool I think!!

sunnyjohn · Nov 11, 2006

Rayrae said:
Our pulmonary specialists are starting to prescribe this a LOT for the patients with CF and are seeing a BIG difference- one of the doctors told us it started out when a guy with CF who lived in Australia and liked to surf, started noticing that after a long day on the waves he would have a much more frequent cough and able to bring up a lot of mucus and feel much better for several days. It's pretty cool I think!!

Funny,

I grew up in the Bahamas. If you were congested, had a cold, were stopped up or had any ailment (from a skin rash to a cold to near death) your parents would take you down to the beach and dip you 'in the sea'

It cleared up lots of things. Plus you had the fun of splashing around!

Lacie, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2006

My son has had asthma most of his young life and we have used NS in his nebulizer from the start. Considering that has been about 14 years now. We do use albuterol but only as prescribed (QID) or in crisis, otherwise when he's just congested and is unable to expectorate the secretions the NS not only loosens them but encourages him to cough significantly. LOL I even have 3 pet prairie dogs that have had respiratory infections and that's what the vet has us do for them to get the secretions loose since they don't exactly blow their noses or cough on demand.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2006

I've heard of respiratory giving hypertonic saline nebulizers to help draw water into the mucus to thin it and make it easier to cough out.

RNAnnjeh, MSN, CNS · Nov 12, 2006

Agree. We use saline nebs liberally. Not harmful and usually helps to loosen things up.

RNAnnjeh

TrudyRN · Nov 12, 2006

All the time.

Kelli the nurse · Oct 25, 2011

I have seen this used most frequently to treat pediatric patients. I have also personally used it to treat my kids when they had croup. It is a lot more effective (and more pleasant) than sitting in a hot steamy room!