Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has asthma about the use of a metered-dose inhaler. The nurse should identify that which of the following client actions indicates an understanding of the teaching?

a) Inhaling quickly before activating the inhaler.
b) Exhaling fully before using the inhaler.
c) Holding the breath for 5 seconds after inhaling.
d) Using the inhaler only during an asthma attack

Answer 1

Exhaling fully before using the inhaler indicates the correct use of a metered-dose inhaler for asthma, allowing for effective delivery of medication to the lungs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct action that indicates an understanding of the teaching for the use of a metered-dose inhaler for a client with asthma is b) Exhaling fully before using the inhaler. This practice is important because it allows for a deep and controlled inhalation, ensuring that the medication is delivered as deeply into the lungs as possible. It is also important to note that while holding the breath after inhaling the medication can be helpful, the client should ideally hold it for about 10 seconds to allow the medication to settle in the lungs. Metered-dose inhalers are critical in delivering short-term, fast-acting drugs to treat an asthma attack and also for delivering long-term control medications. It is a misconception to think that the inhaler should only be used during an asthma attack, as regular use may be recommended for long-term management to control the condition and reduce the frequency of attacks.