Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a school-age child who has asthma about using an albuterol metered-dose inhaler. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

a. Inhale slowly while pressing the inhaler once.
b. Exhale fully before pressing the inhaler.
c. Use the inhaler only when you experience severe difficulty breathing.
d. Wait 30 seconds between puffs if more than one puff is prescribed.

Answer 1

A nurse should teach a child to inhale slowly while pressing the inhaler, exhale fully before use, follow the prescribed frequency of use, and wait 30 seconds between puffs if multiple puffs are needed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Instructions for Using an Albuterol Metered-Dose Inhaler

When teaching a school-age child with asthma how to use an albuterol metered-dose inhaler, a nurse should include the following instructions:

• Inhale slowly while pressing the inhaler once.
• Exhale fully before pressing the inhaler to ensure the medication can reach deep into the lungs.
• The inhaler should be used not only during severe difficulty breathing but also as directed by a physician to manage symptoms and prevent attacks.
• If more than one puff is prescribed, wait about 30 seconds between puffs to allow the medication to take effect before taking the next one.

These steps help ensure the medication is delivered effectively to the airways to alleviate symptoms of asthma such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Asthma attacks can often be controlled with fast-acting bronchodilators like albuterol. It's also important to identify and avoid asthma triggers whenever possible to prevent attacks.