<![CDATA[Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, characterized by airflow obstruction in the respiratory tract. The primary problem that often arises is ineffective airway clearance due to excess mucus production and increased thick secretions. At Dr. Ario Wirawan Lung Hospital in Salatiga, 482 cases of COPD were recorded in the past year (2024-2025), of which 61.2% required nebulizer therapy intervention. This scientific paper aims to describe the management of ineffective airway clearance through nebulizer therapy in COPD patients in the Emergency Department (ER) of Dr. Ario Wirawan Lung Hospital in Salatiga. The author used a descriptive case study method to address this nursing problem. The study subject was an elderly patient (77 years old) who complained of shortness of breath for 3 days and additional breath sounds, rhonchi. The primary intervention was nebulizer therapy using bronchodilator medication to widen the airways and thin and facilitate the expectoration of secretions. Implementation was carried out for 1 x 3 hours in the emergency room, monitoring breathing patterns and oxygen saturation. The nursing care results showed that after administering nebulizer therapy and supportive measures such as suctioning and oxygen administration, the problem of ineffective airway clearance was resolved. The patient reported feeling lighter in breathing, reduced rhonchi, improved respiratory rate, and increased oxygen saturation (SpO2) from 89% to 93%. It is recommended that healthcare workers in the emergency room consistently implement nebulizer therapy according to standard operating procedures to improve the quality of respiratory care and prevent further complications in COPD patients.]]>
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