What does a nebulizer do?

A nebulizer operates by converting liquid medication into aerosolized particles, allowing it to be inhaled directly into the lungs. This method enhances the delivery of medication for respiratory conditions, ensuring that the medication reaches the airways and lung tissue more effectively than other delivery methods. The aerosolized particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, making nebulizers especially useful for treating conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory issues.

In contrast, delivering medication through an IV line involves intravenous access and does not utilize aerosolization, while removing mucus from the lungs is a separate function that may require different devices or techniques. Additionally, administering medication via surgical implantation refers to a different method entirely that involves the surgical placement of a drug delivery device in the body, which is not the function of a nebulizer. Thus, the primary purpose of a nebulizer is accurately captured in the delivered answer.