Application of Balloon Blowing Therapy in Improving Respiratory Function in Children with Bronchopneumonia in Pediatric Treatment Warning: A Case Report

Abstract

Bronchopneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children in Indonesia. It is characterized by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, resulting in impaired respiratory function, including shortness of breath (tachypnea), secretion retention, and reduced pulmonary ventilation. One of the non-pharmacological nursing interventions that can be implemented to improve respiratory function is balloon blowing therapy. This therapy is a breathing exercise designed to enhance lung expansion, strengthen the respiratory muscles, facilitate secretion clearance, and provide a relaxation effect that supports the implementation of atraumatic care in children. This study aimed to describe the effect of balloon blowing therapy on respiratory function in a child diagnosed with bronchopneumonia at Prof. Dr. H. Aloei Saboe Regional General Hospital, Gorontalo City. The study employed a case study design involving a six-year-old child (M.A.E.) diagnosed with bronchopneumonia who presented with shortness of breath, difficulty expectorating sputum, and additional breath sounds (rhonchi). Balloon blowing therapy was administered as part of airway management for three consecutive days, with each session lasting 10–15 minutes. Evaluation was conducted by measuring the respiratory rate (RR) before and after the intervention and by observing the patient's clinical condition. The results demonstrated a gradual decrease in RR, from 39 to 37 breaths/minute on the first day, from 36 to 34 breaths/minute on the second day, and from 32 to 27 breaths/minute on the third day, reaching the normal range for the patient's age. In addition, shortness of breath decreased, sputum was expelled more easily, and rhonchi diminished. Balloon blowing therapy has the potential to improve respiratory function in children with bronchopneumonia and may be considered a complementary non-pharmacological nursing intervention. However, further studies involving larger sample sizes and more rigorous research designs are required to confirm its effectiveness.