Steam Inhalations

STEAM
INHALATION
PRESENTED BY: ISHFAQ
M.Sc. Nursing 1st year
overview
• Definition
• Anatomy and physiology
• Types of inhalations
• Purposes
• Methods of inhalations
• General instructions
• Nursing consideration
• Lab procedure
• Documentation
• Summary and conclusion
introduction
Definition
Drugs or dilutions of drugs administered by the nasal or
oral respiratory route for a local or systemic effect, the
inhalants are delivered into the alveoli of the lungs,
which promote fast absorption.
Anatomy
of
Respiratory System
SINUS
ALVEOLI
S
Types of inhalations
1.Dry inhalations
• Inhalations of general anesthetics: ether,
chloroform, nitrous oxide etc. are given by using by
mask.
• Oxygen and Carbon dioxide inhalations: these are

administering using a mask, tent or catheter.
• Inhalations of volatile drugs: Amyl nitrate
contained in an ampule is broken and emptied into a
gauze piece or into handkerchief and is held under
the nose of the patient and the patients inhales the
fumes. This is used to relieve the pain in angina
pectoris.
• Inhalations of stramonium and belladonna: these
are burned and the patient breathes the fumes.
• Aerosol Spray: Atomizers and Nebulizers are used for
spraying medication into the respiratory passages.
2. Moist /Steam inhalation
• It refers to the inhalation of warm, moist air into the
mucous membranes of nose and respiratory tract.
Or
• Breathing of warm and moist air (vapor) produced by
a vaporizer into the lungs for local effect on the air
passages.
Purposes:
1. To relieve inflammation and congestion of the mucous
membranes of the respiratory tract and paranasal sinuses thus
to produce symptomatic relief in acute and chronic sinusitis.
2: To soften thick mucus which helps in its expulsion from
the respiratory tract thus to relive cough in bronchitis.
3: To aid in absorption of oxygen.
purposes
4: To provide moisture and heat and to prevent dryness of the mucus
membranes of the lungs and upper respiratory passages following
operation such as tracheostomy.
5: To relieve spastic conditions of the larynx and bronchi.
6: To provide antiseptic action on the respiratory tract e.g. by using

menthol, eucalyptus and tincture benzoin.
Drugs commonly used
• Tincture benzoin -5ml. per 500 ml of boiling water.

• Eucalyptus -2ml.per 500ml. of boiling water.
• Menthol -few crystals per 500ml. of boiling water.
• Camphor -few crystals per 500ml. of boiling water.
Methods
• By jug method
• By steam tent
• By electric steam inhaler
Jug Method
• In this method, a Nelson's inhaler is used. The type of the
inhalant required and the boiling water is filled in the jug
and the patient breathes the vapor.
• At home situations, where a Nelson's inhaler is not
available the patients can be advised to improvise a jug.
Jug method
• A tea kettle or a mug is filled with boiling water and the
inhalant. A 'cone' is made with a card board paper and is
fitted over the kettle or the mug.
Through a small hole made on the top of the
cone the patient breathes in the steam
Nelson’s Inhaler
Steam Tent
Steam Tent
• When a high concentration of steam is required, a steam

tent may be used.
• There are different ways of making a tent.
• A quick and easy method is to place a screen on either side on the
patient's bed and stretch blankets or sheets across them, fixing
them with safety pins, and forming a canopy.
• Woolen blankets are preferred to sheets because they absorb

moisture and will not drip over the patient.
• For a child, the blankets can be stretched across the top
of the cot. The steam can then be directed into the tent
from the spout of a kettle.
• Care must be taken that the stove and the kettle are
placed far away from the screen and the bedclothes to
prevent the danger of catching fire.
Electric Steam Inhaler
• Small electric vaporizers can be used to give 'steam

inhalation.
• It consists of a small jar with a heating element extending
into the jar. The jar is filled with water.
• As the water boils, the medicated steam is directed

through the spout which is inhaled by the patient.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
• Always remember the danger involved of scalding the
patient either with the 'steam or with the water coming
out of the inhaler.
• This is particularly important where the patient is very

young, very old, acutely ill or in a state of confusion.
• In these cases, the spout of the inhaler must be placed in
such a way that the patient can not touch it or put their
face too near.
• When a jug or kettle is used, fill it only 2/3 with boiling

water to prevent scalding of the patient. If the inhaler is
filled to the brim, there is the possibility of drawing
water into the mouth and scalding the patient.
• Always remember the danger of fire. If a stove is used
with a kettle to generate steam continuously, as in the
case of the steam tent, the blankets used may fall on the
stove and catch fire.
• Keep the patient warm and prevent draught before,
during, and after the inhalation.
-During the treatment, the blood vessels of the

skin and mucus membranes are dilated and the patient
is easily chilled when exposed to draught.
May predispose prolonged attack of inflammation and
congestion:
-The windows and doors are closed and the fan' is put off
during the treatment to prevent draught.
-Ask the patient to empty the bladder to ensure that the patient
will remain on the bed for several hours after inhalation
• When volatile drugs are used e.g., menthol, warn the
patient to keep his eyes closed to prevent the drug from
irritating the conjunctiva.
• Watch the patient closely throughout the procedure for
any adverse effects.
• Provide a calling device near the patient to call the nurse
in case of necessity.
• When giving inhalation by jug method, keep the spout
away from the patient.
• This is a precaution to prevent scalding of the patient,

should the patient tilts the jug during inhalation.
• Place a sputum cup in the reach of the patient to spit the

sputum that is coughed up during the inhalation.
• Explain the procedure to the patient in advance.
• If the time is lost for explanations the temperature of the

water will be reduced.
NURSE’S RESPONSIBILITY
• Preliminary Assessment
1. Check the patient’s identifications.
2. Check the diagnosis
3. Check the physician's order
4. Assess the patient's ability for self care, his ability to move and
to maintain the desired position.
5. Assess the level of consciousness and the ability to follow
instructions.
6. Check the articles available in the patient's unit.
Preparation of the Patient and the Environment
• Explain the procedure to the patient to win his confidence and

cooperation.
• Explain the sequence of the procedure and tell him how he
can take the inhalation.
• Make the patient understand that he has to remain in bed for
one to two hours more after the inhalation.
• Ask the patient to go to the toilet and empty the
bladder and bowels.
• if necessary. For a bedridden patient, offer a bedpan
or urinal, so that he will not be disturbed during the
procedure
• Place the patient in a high Fowler's or sitting position
with a cardiac table in front.
• If the movements are restricted, place him in a side-
lying position, or place him in any position which is
comfortable to him (e.g., sitting with a pillow on the
lap).
• Close the doors and windows and put off the fan to prevent
draught.
• Place the sputum cup in a convenient place within easy reach
of the patient.
• Provide a face towel to the patient to wipe the sweating from
the face during the inhalation.
AFTER CARE OF THE CLIENT
1. Continue the treatment for 15 to 20 minutes, or as long as
the patient gets the vapours.
2. Remove the inhaler from the patient after the stated time.
Wipe off the perspiration from the face.
3. Remove the back rest and the cardiac table. Adjust the
position of the patient in bed. Make him comfortable.
4. Instruct him to remain in bed for,.1 to 2 hours to prevent
draught.
6. Take the articles to the utility room. Empty the inhaler;
clean it inside with spirit to remove Tr. benzoin. Then wash it
with warm soapy water.
7. Remove the gauze covering the mouth piece and clean the
mouth piece thoroughly. Boil it to prevent cross infection. All
the other articles are cleaned with warm soapy water and then
with clean water. Dry and replace them in their proper places.
Wash hands.
8. Record the procedure on the nurse's record with date and
time. Record the patient's response to the procedure.
9. Return to the patient to assess his comfort and to observe

and untoward reactions in him. Offer hot drink if needed.
3.METERED DOSE INHALATION
Definition: It is the process by which the patient inhales a specific or

pre-measured dose of aerosol medication by means of an inhaler.
Purposes:
• To relieve inflammation and congestion of the mucus

membranes
• To improve clearance of pulmonary secretions.
• To act as a bronchodilator and mucolytic agent.

BENEFITS TO USING A SPACER:
• Helps you to breathe at your own pace.

• Allows more medicine to reach your lungs.
• Prevents medicine from escaping into the air.
• To be used with all age groups .
After care of the patient:
• Teach about cleanliness of inhaler.
• Instruct the patient against repeating inhalations before next

schedule.
• Describe in nurses notes, the content of skill taught and

patient’s ability to perform skill.
Special Consideration:
• Gargle with plain water after steroid inhalers to reduce

the chances of infection.
• To check when the canister is to be replaced
• Note the total number of puffs listed on the canister.
• Note the number of puffs ordered for the patient per day.
• Divide the total number of puffs available in the
canister by number of puffs to be taken per day.
• This may give the total number of days for which the
canister may last. Teach the patient to replace the
canister before this calculated date.
Summary
Conclusion:
• Steam inhalation is an effective procedure that helps to relieve

inflammation, congestion, and edema of the respiratory tract.
• It also aids in softening the secretions and facilitates effective
breathing.
• Care must be taken by the nurse to provide comfort to the patient
and prevent burns and scalds during the procedure.
THANK YOU

Steam Inhalations

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STEAM

• Oxygen and Carbon dioxide inhalations: these are

5: To relieve spastic conditions of the larynx and bronchi.

6: To provide antiseptic action on the respiratory tract e.g. by using

• Tincture benzoin -5ml. per 500 ml of boiling water.

• When a high concentration of steam is required, a steam

• Woolen blankets are preferred to sheets because they absorb

• Small electric vaporizers can be used to give 'steam

• As the water boils, the medicated steam is directed

• This is particularly important where the patient is very

• When a jug or kettle is used, fill it only 2/3 with boiling

-During the treatment, the blood vessels of the

• This is a precaution to prevent scalding of the patient,

• Place a sputum cup in the reach of the patient to spit the

• If the time is lost for explanations the temperature of the

• Explain the procedure to the patient to win his confidence and

9. Return to the patient to assess his comfort and to observe

Definition: It is the process by which the patient inhales a specific or

• To relieve inflammation and congestion of the mucus

• To act as a bronchodilator and mucolytic agent.

• Helps you to breathe at your own pace.

• Teach about cleanliness of inhaler.

• Instruct the patient against repeating inhalations before next

• Describe in nurses notes, the content of skill taught and

• Gargle with plain water after steroid inhalers to reduce

• Steam inhalation is an effective procedure that helps to relieve

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