Aerosols in the Health Care Field

:: Section 1

Learning Objectives

After reviewing this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify advantages and disadvantages of administering medications via aerosols.
2. Explain how the following physical properties affect medicinal particle deposition: (a) Gravity, (b) Temperature, (c) Humidity, (d) Breathing pattern, (e) Inspirtaory flow rate.
3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various aerosol generators: (a) Small Volume Nebulizer (SVN), (b) Meter Dose Inhaler (MDI), (c) Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI).
4. Discuss the proper technique for delivering medicine using (a) SVN, (b) MDI, (c) DPI.
5. Explain the quantity of lung deposition and methods to enhance delivery; discuss how a therapist measures the efficacy of drug administration.
6. Explain how to selectively target deposition within the lungs at the upper airways, bronchioles, or alveoli level.
7. List examples of drugs you may preferentially administer within the lungs and determine the site of deposition.
8. Determine the advantage of using a spacer device when using an MDI.
9. Discuss the impact of different gases (air, oxygen and heliox gas) used to power the small volume nebulizer.
10. Discuss the disadvantages of CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) and HFA (hydrofluoroalkanes) and the lung deposition difference between CFC and HFA.