Question

A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a fluticasone propionate (Flovent HFA) inhaler with a spacer. The patient asks the nurse why a spacer is needed with the inhaler. Which of the following responses by the nurse is correct?

A. "By using a spacer, you can take the medication correctly without any spills."
B. "You can inhale five or more puffs in 1 min. when using a spacer."
C. "By using a spacer, you eliminate the need for mouth rinsing after administration."
D. "More medication is delivered to the lungs when you use a spacer."

Answer 1

The nurse's correct response is that more medication is delivered to the lungs when a spacer is used with an inhaler. Spacers help to ensure effective delivery of medication by preventing deposition in the mouth and throat, which can decrease efficacy and increase side effects. They are particularly useful for patients who struggle with inhaler timing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct response to the student's question about the use of a spacer with a fluticasone propionate inhaler would be D. "More medication is delivered to the lungs when you use a spacer." Spacers are devices used with inhalers to help ensure that the medication is delivered effectively into the lungs. Using a spacer can help prevent the medication from being deposited in the mouth and throat, which can decrease its effectiveness and potentially contribute to side effects such as oral thrush.

When a spacer is used, it holds the medication released by the inhaler so that when you inhale, the aerosolized drug is carried into the lungs more efficiently. This is especially helpful for patients who have difficulty with the timing of pressing the inhaler and inhaling the medication. Thus, spacers are essential tools in improving drug delivery and the overall management of respiratory conditions such as asthma.