Normal Saline in a nebulizer?

[LadySugarBug]

I know this question probably belongs in pulmonary, but here goes: My question: in clinicals the other day a patient, 19yo (with mild asthma, on QVar inhaled 40mg bid ) said that when she has a cold (or is congested) she uses normal saline (2cc) in her nebulizer. I asked if she mixed abuterol or any other med's with it, and she said only when in crisis. The normal saline seems to loosen her mucus and makes her cough more productive. I had never heard of that (of course there is ALOT I have never heard of, LOL) so I thought I'd ask here. Anyone ever heard of this? Standard procedure? Any risk involved? Many thanks!

[nicenurselpn, LPN]

We too use NS in our nebulizers at our pediatric long term care facility. Along with good old chest pt or a vest tx it really helps!

[DDdove, LPN]

What so you think of breathing in vapors from a pan of steamy water?

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

We do this all the time. You just mix in 2-3 mls NS with the medication & it helps distribute it further. Also we were taught that NS helps with tissue healing - the respiratory passages get irritated & damaged with coughing etc & also NS is cool so it helps soothe the airways.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I had RT tell me that it (plain NS without nebulizer meds) can start laryngospasms. I had mentioned about getting some of the NS unit doses at the pharmacy to have available at home. I had a nebulizer machine and didn't really want the shakes from the albuterol. She (RT) said not a good idea... Hmm.