Question

The nurse is teaching the school-age child & parent about the administration of inhaled beclomethasone & ipratropium for Tx of asthma. Which statement by the parent indicates that teaching has been effective?

A) "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
B) "I will administer the medications only when my child has difficulty breathing."
C) "I will rinse my child's mouth after using the inhaler."
D) "I will use the inhaler as a rescue medication."

Answer 1

Successful teaching is indicated by the parent's intention to rinse the child's mouth after using the inhaler, which helps prevent oral thrush, a side effect of inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone. While shaking the inhaler is also correct, medication use should not be limited to only difficulty breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The parent’s understanding of asthma medication administration is critical for effective asthma management in children. The correct statement, indicating successful teaching, is: "I will rinse my child's mouth after using the inhaler." This step is important because corticosteroids like beclomethasone taken by inhalation may cause oral thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth, which can be prevented by rinsing the mouth post-inhalation. It is also important to shake the inhaler before use, but this is a generic instruction for many inhalers. Beclomethasone is typically used as a long-term control medication to prevent asthma attacks, and not as a rescue medication, while ipratropium is a bronchodilator that can be used for quick relief, but their use should not be limited to when the child has difficulty breathing as ongoing treatment is essential for managing asthma.