Question

Provide an answer to each case:

1- Whistling sound in a humidifier? How would you troubleshoot it?

2- How is the proper function of a humidifier checked?

3- When providing a hand held nebulizer what sound indicates that the solution has been nebulized?

4- What can cause a LVN (large volume nebulizer) not to mist enough? Provide 3 possible causes.

5- What can cause the FiO₂ to change during a LVN (large volume nebulizer) therapy? How can it be fixed?

6- During Incentive Spirometry what common troubleshooting problems you may find?

Answer 1

1- Whistling sound in a humidifier? How would you troubleshoot it?

Possible Causes of sound in humidifier	Solutions
A damaged fan or a wing of fan	Replace the fan or replace the damaged part of fan
Insufficient lubricant in the fan	There is a small hole provided in the fan to put oil into it, replace oil regularly for proper lubrication
Clogged drain of the humidifier	Cleaning of water tank, nozzle, drain valve
Collection of debris in filters	If filters are washable then can be washed or else it should be replaced

2- How is the proper function of a humidifier checked?

Check list to check if a humidifier is working properly	Yes	No
Water level maintained in humidifier
Clean the humidifier with marking of date and time
While cleaning the humidifier remove distilled water and replace it with white vinegar and allow it to sit for 30 min
Using a soft bristled brush, scrub the tank of your humidifier to remove deposits. Drain the vinegar. Rinse the tank
Blockage or clogs in the tubing or out let or inlet
Draining tubing clogged or blocked
Humidistat is appropriate
Lift the supply tube to your humidifier from the top of the distribution box slightly; can you see water coming out of it?
Electrical plugins are appropriately connected
Water is going out through drain hose
Tubing’s attached appropriately
Oxygen cylinder is connected appropriately

Note all the checks should be cleared appropriately as YES if there is any No then that is a indication of defect or some kind of issue, resolve it before continuing the humidification

3- When providing a hand held nebulizer what sound indicates that the solution has been nebulized?

Vibrating mesh sound produced by compressed air and ultrasonic power breaks up the liquid into vapour which are inhaled and once the liquid solution is finished then the vibrating mesh sound starts intermittently saying there is low medicine or there its about to end, once it stops that indicates solution has been nebulized, its up to the nurse to make sure the patient recives all the nebulisation by placing the face mask or using tent

4- What can cause a LVN (large volume nebulizer) not to mist enough? Provide 3 possible causes.

The three causes of LVN not to mist enough might be

a. Clogged compressor

b. Small particle medicine or solution

c. Blockage of filters

5- What can cause the FiO₂ to change during a LVN (large volume nebulizer) therapy? How can it be fixed?

What causes the FiO2 change in LVN	Possible solutions
Low level of Flow Rate	Set rate at 5:1 ratio (5 + 1) x (10 l/m) = 60 L/M
Corrugated tubing attached to the LVN, causes water to create back pressure and it can’t entrain room air	A water trap should be used to solve this cause.
Clogging	Clear clogging or blockage
This is commonly used in tracheostomy clients, there is a change of blockage at the site	Suction and managing airway patency

6- During Incentive Spirometry what common troubleshooting problems you may find?

The problems identified by incentive Spirometry is

a. Emphysema

b. Chronic bronchitis

c. Bronchiectasis

d. Asthma

e. Chest (bypass) and abdominal surgeries

f. Collapsed lungs

Note medical and surgical interventions help in identifying and solving these problems