STEAM INHALATION (Hot Application) – Nurse Info STEAM INHALATION (Hot Application)

STEAM INHALATION (Hot Application) – Purpose, Preliminary Assessment, Preparation of Patient and Environment, Equipment, Procedure and After Care

UPDATED 2024

Inhalation
is defined as the drawing of air or other vapors into lungs through mouth or
nose.

Steam
inhalation is defined as utilization of moist heat to loosen lung congestion
and help liquify secretions

Purpose

• To relieve inflammation of the mucus membrane
  in acute colds and in sinusitis
• To relieve irritation in bronchitis
  and whooping cough by moistening
• To provide antiseptic action on the
  respiratory tract
• To provide warm and moist air
  following operation, e.g. tracheotomy
• To soften thick, tenacious mucus and
  relieve coughing

Types of Inhalations

• Dry-Inhalation: ether, chloroform,
  nitrous oxide, menthol, eucalyptus and spirit ammonia
• Water moist inhalation: plain steam,
  tincture benzoic, menthol in alcohol and oil of eucalyptus solution

Indication of Tincture Benzoin Inhalation

• Purulent bronchitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Lung abscess
• Common cold and sore throat

General Instructions

• The temperature of the water should
  be remaining between 120 and 160 degree F or 54.4 and 76.7 degree Celcius
• Water in the inhaler should remain
  just below the spout to avoid scalding
• The spout of the inhaler must be
  placed in such a way that the patient cannot touch it or put his face too near
• Keep the patient warm and prevent
  drought before, during and after the inhalation
• When volatile groups like menthols
  are used to keep his eyes closed to prevent the drug irritating the conjunctiva
• Observe the patient closely
  throughout the procedure

Preliminary Assessment

Check

• The doctors order for any specific
  instructions
• General condition and diagnosis of
  the patient
• Self-care ability to follow
  instructions
• Type, duration and medication of
  inhalation
• Articles available in the unit

Preparation of the Patient and Environment

• Explain the procedure to the patient
• Allow the patient to empty to the
  bladder and towels if necessary. Given bedpan or urinal to a bedridden patient
• Provide Fowler’s position with back
  rest, cardiac table and extra pillows
• Close windows, doors and put off fan
  to prevent drought
• Provide sputum cup within the reach
  of the patient
• Provide a face towel to remove sweat
  from face during inhalation
• Mouth piece should be boiled and
  cooled before use
• Arrange the articles at the bedside

Equipment

A tray
containing:

• Nelson’s inhaler in a large bowel
• Face towel and patient towel – 1
• Bath blanket
• Tincture benzoin
• Teaspoon, dropper
• Kettle with boiling water
• Gauze pieces
• Cotton swabs
• Swab sticks
• Kidney tray and paper bag

Procedure

• Wash hands
• Open sterile inhaler mouth – piece
  and cover with sterile gauze and attach to clean inhaler
• Close spout of inhaler with cotton
  ball. Pour boiling water up to spout. Add medicine (tincture benzoin) if
  needed. Close inhaler with mouth piece and take to bed side
• Face spout away from patient and
  remove cotton ball
• Instruct to take in deep breath
  through mouth and breathe out through nose
• Continue procedure for 15 to 20
  minutes keep patient warm throughout to prevent chilling
• Give chest physiotherapy and encourage
  patient ot bring out sputum

After Care

• Remove the inhaler from the patient
• Use face towel to wipe of
  perspiration from his face
• Remove the accessories and make the
  patient comfortable
• Replace the articles after cleaning
• Wash hands
• Record the procedure in nurse’s
  record sheet

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