Metered dose inhalers MDI for children with trach tubes (1029)

Key points below


For patients with a tracheostomy tube

What is a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) used for?

An MDI is used to treat wheezing or to give corticosteroids. It can be used while traveling or when the nebulizer machine cannot be used. You may also hear this referred to as an inhaler.

What supplies are needed?

What are the steps for using a MDI?

  1. Connect the manual resuscitator bag to the end with the canister. If your child uses oxygen, you may hook up oxygen to your bag as you would when you give breaths.    
  2. Shake the MDI canister before using.
  3. If new, or not used in a while, prime the MDI by spraying 4 times into the air.  
  4. Put the MDI canister into canister Port.
  5. Put the other end of the chamber on your child's trach tube.
  6. After your child exhales, press the MDI canister down to give one puff.
  7. While your child breathes in, squeeze the manual resuscitator bag. Give your child 2 to 5 deep breaths with the bag.
  8. Take the Chamber off your child's trach tube.
 If your child…  Then…
 Uses oxygen
  1.  Put your child back on the trach collar between puffs.
  2. Shake the MDI again before giving the next puff.
 
 Does not use oxygen  Continue to step 9.

9. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each puff ordered.

Special directions

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource:

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.