What does a nebulizer do?

A nebulizer is a medical device that converts liquid medication into a fine mist, allowing patients to inhale the medication directly into their lungs. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as it facilitates easier and more effective delivery of medication. The mist produced is small enough to be easily inhaled, ensuring that the medication can reach the airways and lungs quickly, helping to relieve symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.

In contrast, delivering oxygen to patients pertains more to devices like oxygen tanks or nasal cannulas, which are not nebulizers. Measuring lung capacity is typically done with spirometry or similar pulmonary function tests rather than a nebulizer. The notion of providing psychological therapy is unrelated to the function of a nebulizer, as it is strictly a medical device designed for respiratory treatments. Therefore, the correct understanding of a nebulizer's role is critical for effective respiratory care.