Final answer:
Rescue medications are used for immediate symptom relief in acute respiratory conditions, delivered by a respiratory therapist through various methods such as inhalers and nebulizers at home, or more advanced techniques like ventilators and intravenous administration in hospitals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rescue medications are drugs used for immediate relief from symptoms of acute episodes in various conditions such as asthma, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) or respiratory therapist can administer these medications using different delivery methods depending on the setting. In the home environment, an RCP might use nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers with or without spacers, or dry powder inhalers. In the emergency room (ER) or intensive care unit (ICU), the delivery methods may include nebulization, intravenous administration, or through advanced equipment like mechanical ventilators. These settings may also require intubation and application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) when necessary. Pulmonary surfactant therapy, supplemental oxygen, and assisted ventilation are some of the rescue treatments provided to manage acute respiratory conditions.