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Palliative cancer care - cough - Management
What advice should I give to people using a nebulizer?
- Instruct people to take steady normal breaths (interspersed with occasional deep ones) and to stop 1 minute after the nebulizer contents start spluttering or after a maximum of 10 minutes [Twycross et al, 2002].
- Advise people of the need to speak to their doctor or nurse if they do not adequately benefit when using the nebulizer [Twycross et al, 2002].
- When using a nebulizer, it is useful to have some tissues to hand as there is the potential to expectorate [Twycross et al, 2002].
- The nebulizer and mask or mouthpiece should be cleaned at least once a day (but preferably after each use) by washing in warm water and detergent, rinsing, and drying. To ensure the equipment is dry, it should be set up and switched on for a few moments. Once a week the compressor should be unplugged and, together with the tubing, should be wiped with a damp cloth [Twycross et al, 2002].
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