Purpose of steam inhalation:

1. To relieve the inflammation and congestion of the mucus membranes of the

respiratory tract and par nasal sinuses, thus to produce symptomatic relief in
acute cold and sinusitis.
2. To soften thick, tenacious mucus and help its expulsion from the respiratory
tract, thus to relive cough in bronchitis, post operative cases etc.
3. To provide heat and moisture and to prevent the dryness of the mucus
membranes of the lungs and upper respiratory passages following operations
such as tracheostomy.
4. To aid in the absorption of oxygen.
5. To relieve spastic conditions of the larynx and bronchi.
6. To provide antiseptic action on the respiratory tract e.g., by using menthol,
tr. Benzoin, eucalyptus etc.

Drugs used:

Eucalyptus 2ml per 500 ml of boiling water

Camphor few crystals per 500 ml of boiling water.

Menthol ( vicks/ menthol containing palms)

Methods used for giving steam inhalation:

1. By jug / pot / basin method

2. By steam tent
3. By electric steam inhaler

General instructions for giving steam inhalation:

1. Always remember the danger involved of scalding the client either with the
steam or with the water coming out of the inhaler. This is particularly
important when the patient is very young, very old acutely ill or in a state of
confusion. In these cases, the inhaler must be placed in such a way that the
client cannot touch it or put his face too near.
2. Keep the client warm and prevent draught before, during and after the
inhalation. The client should not go into a cold atmosphere for several hours
after the treatment. The windows and doors are closed and the fan is put off
 during the treatment to prevent draught. Ask the client to empty the bladder
to ensure that the client will remain on the bed for several hours (1 – 2 hours
more) after inhalation to prevent draught.
3. When volatile drugs are used e.g., menthol, warn the patient to keep his eyes
closed to prevent the drug irritating the conjunctiva.
4. Place a sputum cup in the reach / convenient place within the reach of the
client to spit the sputum that is coughed up during the inhalation.
5. Explain the procedure to the client before the preparation of the inhalation,
because if the time is lost for explanations, the temperature of the water will
be reduced.
6. Provide a face towel to the client to wipe the sweating from the face during
the inhalation.
7. Continue the treatment for 15 to 20 minutes or as long as the client gets the
vapours.

URINE ANALYSIS

Characteristics of normal urine:

Volume: 1000 to 2000 ml of urine is excreted in 24 hrs (It depends upon the
water intake and the weather)

Colour: The normal urine colour is pale yellowish or amber in colour. When the
quantity of urine is increased the colour becomes pale yellow and when the
quantity is decreased the colour becomes deep yellow.

Appearance: The normal urine is clear with no deposit.

Odour: The normal urine has a aromatic odour.

Reaction: The normal urine is slightly acidic. (pH below 7)

Specific gravity: It varies from 1.016 to 1.025 when normal fluid intake. It may
vary due to the substances dissolved in the urine.
Constituents of the urine: The normal urine constituents are water 96%, urea 2%
and the remaining 2% consists of uric acid, urates, creatinine, chlorides,
phosphates, sulphates and oxalates.

Characteristics of upnormal urine :

Volume: Abnormal increase in the volume is known as ‘polyuria’ (found in

Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus). Derease quantity of urine is called
‘oliguria’ (found in heart disease, kidney disease and in shock conditions) and the
total absence or marked decrease of urine is known as ‘anuria’.

Colour: Green or brownish yellow – Bile salts and bile pigments

Reddish brown – Urobilinogen

Bright red – A large amount of fresh blood (haematuria)

Pink – A small amount of fresh blood

Smoky brown – Blood pigments

Milky white – Chyluria due to filariasis Note: Intake of medicine can cause
abnormal colors of urine.

Odour: Sweetish or fruity odour is due to the presence of ketone bodies (seen in
diabetic clients)

Appearance: Cloudy appearance is due to the presence of amorphous phosphates

(which will disappear on heating / with dilution of acetic acid). Turbidity of urine
is due to the presence of pus (clears on filtering) and deposits due to the presence
of various substances: Mucus – appear as a flocculent cloud; Pus – settles at the
bottom as a heavy cloud; Stones – as fine sand; Uric acid – as grains of pepper.

Reaction: Urine may be alkaline (in case of cystitis or keeping at room temperature
for prolong time)

Specific gravity : In disease the specific gravity may range from 1.001 to 1.060. (
High in diabetes mellitus and Low in renal diseases ).

Constituents of urine: Albumen (albuminuria) – kidney damage.

Sugar (glycosuria) – Diabetes mellitus

Acetone – Diabetes mellitus

Bile – Obstructive jaundice or hemolytic disease

The results Interpretation:

Blue liquid with no deposit – absence of sugar

Green liquid without deposit – approximately 1% sugar

Green liquid with yellow deposit – approximately 2% sugar

Colourless liquid with orange deposit – approximately 3% sugar

Brick red – 5% or above sugar

Articles : Purpose

Test tubes -3 To test urine

Kidney tray To discard the wastes.

Duster / rag piece To wipe the outside of the test tube before and after
heating

Acetic acid To test urine for albumen

Nitric acid / sulphasalic acid To test urine for albumen

Red or blue litmus paper To test the reaction of the urine

Benedict’s solution To test urine for sugar

Measuring cup To measure the benedict’s solution

Droppers To measure the amount of the urine and reagents (acetic acid /
sulphasalic acid)

Test tube brush To clean the test tubes

Bag Technique:

Care of equipment : Regular care of equipment is most important:

a) To prevent any possibility of cross –infection by carrying contaminated articles from house to
house
b) To preserve the equipment for use as long as possible and
c) To put it to the best possible use.
d) To keep the contents of the bag clean and in good condition but not necessarily sterile.
1. Bag: If the bag is metal it may be well washed with soap and water or boiled. If canvas, it can be
dried in the sun after cleaning and washing. The bag must have a clean boiled lining of cotton
which can be removed easily and often replaced.
2. Thermometer : The thermometer and the case may be soaked in an antiseptic solution after
washing with soap and water.
3. Bottles : All bottles should be emptied once a month; after cleaning , well marked labels should
then be affixed on the bottles giving the contents and dosage before filling them up.
4. Stainless steel: Boil such ware for 20 minutes, dry with a clean towel while the ware is still hot.
In an emergency it may be flamed( for this rinse the bowl with little spirit then set fire to it with
a match).
5. Instruments: All instruments should be washed well with cold water after use (the forceps
opened up ) boiled for twenty minutes and dried with a clean towel before being replaced.
6. Do not boiled the scissors, these can be thoroughly washed with soap and water, flamed or put
in an antiseptic solution before use.
7. After use wash clean and dry. A little oil can be added at the joints and blades to keep the
scissors free of rust.
8. Dry dressing and swabs:
a) The swabs or dressings can be packed in small cotton bags or paper packets which can then be
placed in lined tins or packs made of at least two thicknesses of cotton material and autoclaved
in the usual way in the local hospitals or primary health centers to sterilize dressings at regular
intervals.
b) Dressings or swabs can be bake in the oven if available. For this method, thick linen-lining will be
necessary.
c) Dressings, old linen and cotton material be scorched. The material should be well washed,
boiled ironed with a hot iron to scorch and placed in small bags.
9. Blood pressure measuring instrument: The cotton arm-band should be separated from the
rubber bag and then washed and ironed in the usual way. The rubber bag, tubing et., may be
washed over with a cloth, using either an antiseptic or a soap solution and rinsed. Never
immerse the bag or tubing in water. Hang to dry.
10. Stethoscopes: The chest piece may be immersed in soapy water or an antiseptic solution; the
tubing should be wiped with a clean cloth and dipped in the solution.
11. Daily care of the bag consists of renewal of towels, swabs and dressings and any necessary
renewal of drugs, antiseptics etc.
12. Once a week the bag and its contents must be given full care.