Indications for breathing treatments

Since I write so often on these pages reasons nurses call for breathing treatments and doctors order them (my latest version is here), I think it is due time I create a list of the true indications for a bronchodilator breathing treatments.

Keep in mind a bronchodilator only treats bronchospasm. Likewise, rescue inhalers used properly with spacer are proven to be as effective in most cases as a breathing treatments.

That in mind, here we go:

1. Asthma
2. Bronchitis (acute or chronic)
3. Emphysema (actually, this is not a true indication)
4. Cistic Fibrosis
5. Airway swelling due to allergic reaction (actually, bronchodilator doesn't treat swelling)
6. Pt with above diseases who cannot manage an inhaler (Albuterol, Atrovent, Flovent, etc.)
7. Bronchospasm secondary to other disease process such as CHF, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, RSV, lung cancer, sinusitis, bronchiectasis, etc.
8. Bronchospasm secondary to allergic reaction (bee sting)

Note #1: The diseases in #8 do not necessarily cause bronchospasm, but may irritate the sensitive airways of people who have the diseases mentioned above

Note #2: It appears doctors believe treatments are cures for all ailments, and are indicated for all the wheezes and all that causes shortness of breath as you can see for yourself by reading the Real Physician's Creed.

We'll make this RT Cave Rule #25: A wise medical care worker will know the indications for ordering a breathing treatment and not request a treatment (or order one, or give one) unless a patient meets this criteria.

Note #3: Again, I am going to file this under humor, although it is not humor it is serious. Too many doctors fail to understand the true indications for breathing treatments