Final answer:
The nurse should confirm that a client with asthma understands to exhale fully before inhaling medication from a metered-dose inhaler and to clean the inhaler more frequently than once a month. Using the inhaler only when symptoms are severe and inhaling the medication quickly do not indicate a proper understanding of inhaler use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Providing teaching to a client with asthma about the use of a metered-dose inhaler, the nurse should identify if the following client actions indicate understanding of the appropriate use of their medication. Correct usage of a metered-dose inhaler is crucial for the management of asthma symptoms and for ensuring the medication is effective. In providing education, the nurse should emphasize proper techniques such as exhaling fully before inhaling the medication, which helps to create more space in the lungs for the medication to enter and be absorbed. It is also essential to instruct the client about regular cleaning of the inhaler to avoid blockage and contamination; however, cleaning the inhaler should be done more frequently than just once a month – typically, after each use or at least once a week. It is not advisable to only use the inhaler when symptoms are severe; instead, the inhaler should be used according to the prescribed plan, which may include regular doses for long-term control and as-needed doses for sudden symptoms. Inhaling the medication quickly is not recommended as it does not allow for deep penetration into the airways.