The therapist receives an order to administer a bronchodilator in-line to an infant receiving mechanical ventilation. The order also indicates that the nebulizer must not significantly increase the patient's delivered tidal volume. Which of the following aerosol delivery devices should the therapist select?
I. Vibrating mesh nebulizer
II. pMDI
III. Jet nebulizer
IV. Ultrasonic nebulizer

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In both adults and infants, the gas driving the jet nebulizer enters the ventilator circuit with the potential for changing delivered volumes, pressures, and parameters; this can set off alarms. Because of the relatively low flow rates used in infant ventilator circuits, the addition of 2 to 6 L/minute of gas can more than double the delivered volume. With other aerosol generators such as pMDIs and ultrasonic and vibrating mesh nebulizers, there is no substantial increase in gas volume, and ventilator parameters remain consistent.

The Therapist Receives an Order to Administer a Bronchodilator In-Line