Specialty Hub
Aerosol Therapy & Pharmacology
The drugs RTs deliver and the devices that deliver them — aerosol technique, bronchodilators, inhaled controllers, mucoactive agents, and the specialty inhaled agents of the ICU — with the drug and device references that keep the classes straight.
Guides
From how aerosols deposit to the drugs that ride them.
Aerosol Drug Delivery
How aerosolized drugs reach the lungs — respirable particle size, the deposition mechanisms, and the pMDI, DPI, nebulizer, and soft-mist devices with the technique each demands and how to match one to the patient.
Bronchodilators
The two bronchodilator families RTs give every shift — β₂-agonists (SABA and LABA) and antimuscarinics (SAMA and LAMA) — with mechanism, the rescue-vs-maintenance split, side effects, and what to monitor.
Inhaled Corticosteroids & Controllers
The controller side of inhaled therapy — inhaled corticosteroids, ICS/LABA combinations, and leukotriene modifiers — how they work over time, the rinse-and-spit that prevents thrush, and why they are never rescue drugs.
Mucoactive Agents
The drugs that thin, hydrate, or break down secretions — N-acetylcysteine, dornase alfa, hypertonic saline, and expectorants — how each works, the bronchospasm cautions, and why they pair with airway clearance.
Inhaled Pulmonary Vasodilators & Specialty Aerosols
The specialty inhaled agents RTs manage in the ICU — inhaled nitric oxide and prostacyclins, inhaled antibiotics, and racemic epinephrine — with how each works, the monitoring, and the withdrawal cautions.
Interactive Practice
Practice Tools
Run practice gases and read the gas exchange your therapies are meant to improve.
Clinical References
The medication table, the devices, and the adverse effects at a glance.
Common Respiratory Medications
A class-by-class reference for inhaled respiratory drugs — SABA, SAMA, LABA, LAMA, inhaled corticosteroids, combinations, mucoactive agents, and specialty inhaled agents — with actions and key RT notes.
Aerosol Device Quick Reference
The aerosol delivery devices side by side — pMDI, pMDI with spacer, DPI, small-volume nebulizer, and soft-mist inhaler — with the inhalation technique, advantages, and limitations of each.
Respiratory Medication Adverse Effects
The adverse effects and bedside monitoring for the inhaled drug classes RTs administer — β₂-agonists, antimuscarinics, inhaled corticosteroids, mucolytics, inhaled nitric oxide, and racemic epinephrine.
Quick Charts
Bronchodilator classes and aerosol devices side by side.
Bronchodilator Classes Comparison Chart
SABA, LABA, SAMA, and LAMA side by side — examples, onset, duration, and the rescue-versus-maintenance role of each bronchodilator class.
Aerosol Device Comparison Chart
The aerosol delivery devices compared — pMDI, pMDI with spacer, DPI, nebulizer, and soft-mist inhaler — by inhalation pattern, coordination needed, best use, and key limitation.
Suggested Learning Path
From the device to the drug to the adverse effects, in order.
Related Specialties
Respiratory pharmacology connects directly to these areas.