Description

Aerosol therapy can be effective, but certain factors may interfere. Optimizing therapy can improve outcomes.


 

Parameters:

(1) size of tongue relative to oral airway

(2) mouth vs nose breathing

(3) airway diameter (higher airway surface area relative to volume)

(4) respiratory rate

(5) tidal volume

(6) ability to hold breath after inspiration

(7) ability to cooperate and coordinate breathing

(8) aerosol particles

Parameter

Increased Effectiveness

Decreased Effectiveness

size of tongue

small and nonobstructing

large and obstructing

type of breathing

mouth

nasal

airway diameter

large

narrow

respiratory rate

slow

rapid

tidal volume

large

small

breath holding

able

unable

coordinated breathing

able

unable

aerosol particles

small and dispersed

large or aggregated

 


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