Respiratory Therapy Equipment Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to respiratory therapy equipment and their functions, important for understanding nebulizers, inhalers, and medication administration.

Capillary Tube

A clear piece in a nebulizer that helps draw liquid upward for atomization.

Jet Nebulizer

A device that nebulizes liquid medication using a gas flow to create a mist for inhalation.

Heliox

A mixture of helium and oxygen used to assist with airway obstruction and can power nebulizers.

Unit Dose

A pre-packaged, single-use quantity of medication for nebulization.

Baffle

A component in nebulizers that breaks down medication into smaller droplets.

DPI

Dry Powder Inhaler, a device for delivering medication in powder form to the lungs.

Maintenance Meds

Medications taken regularly to manage chronic conditions.

Rescue Meds

Medications used as needed for immediate relief of acute symptoms.

Sputter

The sound indicating the end of a nebulization treatment, signifying no more medication is being aerosolized.

Holding Chamber

An attachment for MDIs that allows more medication to reach the lungs by reducing hand-eye coordination needs.

Priming

The process of preparing an inhaler for use by dispensing a dose prior to actual use.

Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)

A common inhaler delivery method that releases a specific amount of medication with each use.

Capsule

A small container for dry powder medication used in certain inhalers.

Exhale

To breathe out; an important action before inhaling medication to maximize lung capacity.

Gravity Dependent

Refers to dry powder inhalers that require them to be held upright to function properly.

Medication Deposition

The distribution of medication within the lungs after inhalation.