Aerosol vs. Humidity
True or False: You can see aerosol particles
True.
You cannot see humidity particles
What is the primary goal of aerosol therapy?
To deliver a therapeutic dose of selected medication to a desired site of action
What is Humidity?
Water in a molecular or gaseous form
Is it Aerosol or Humidity?
- Delivers medication or particles
Aerosol Therapy
What is the term for the tendency of an object with mass to travel in a straight line, which is identified as the primary deposition mechanism for aerosol particles larger than 5 microns?
Inertial Impaction
What are the primary indications for humidity?
- Humidifying medical gases
- Overcoming humidity deficit
Humidity or Aerosol?
- No droplets, molecules of H2O
Humidity
(Particle size for Aerosol is 1-5um, respirable range)
This device synchronizes aerosol production with patient inspiration
Breath-Actuated Neb (BAN)
What are the 4 factors that affect humidity?
- Temperature, Surface Area, Contact time, and Thermal mass
Nebulizer, MDI, and DPI are devices that are used with what type of therapy?
Aerosol
Therapeutic aerosols used in respiratory care are primarily what particle size distribution?
Heterodisperse, meaning they have multiple different particle sizes.
Absolute Humidity = 36mg/L
Water Capacity = 46.5mg/L
Use the Relative Humidity equation. What is the answer?
77%
If ISB is shifted distally, what is indicated?
Humidity Therapy
Indications for Large Volume Jet Nebulizers
- Upper airway, subglottic, or post-extubation edema
- Tracheostomy
- Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
What are the signs of humidity deficit?
- Atelectasis
- Dry non-productive cough
- Increase WOB
- Increased aiWray resistance
- Thick dehydrated secretions