Implementation of simple inhalation therapy to improve airway clearance in children with bronchopneumonia

Abstract

Bronchopneumonia in children is a type of pneumonia that requires careful attention because it can lead to complications and even death. According to UNICEF data from 2024, pneumonia claims the lives of more than 700,000 children under five each year. Children tend to be unable to cough up phlegm effectively, resulting in phlegm accumulating in the bronchi over time, narrowing the airways and causing shortness of breath. Inhaling hot steam increases the humidity of the inhaled air, thus softening the thick mucus that accumulates in the airways and facilitating expectoration through coughing. Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus) contains active compounds such as eucalyptol (1.8-cineole), which has anti-inflammatory, mucolytic, and antimicrobial effects. The case study aimed at understanding the concept of nursing care for children with bronchopneumonia, focusing on the inhalation of warm steam and eucalyptus oil in improving airway clearance in paediatric patients with bronchopneumonia. The case study uses a descriptive case study approach that aims to comprehensively and thoroughly describe the nursing care for paediatric patients with bronchopneumonia by implementing simple inhalation therapy using hot steam and eucalyptus oil. The problem of airway clearance was resolved on the 3rd day, the cough was reduced, rhonchi were minimal, shortness of breath was absent, oxygen saturation increased to 97-98%, respiratory rate decreased to 25x/minute, the child was no longer fussy and cooperative and was allowed to go home by the doctor. This simple inhalation therapy can be an alternative supporting intervention in an effort to improve the respiratory condition of paediatric patients with bronchopneumonia.

Keywords: Bronchopneumonia, child care, eucalyptus oil, Ronchi, simple inhalation