Question

The nurse is reinforcing the correct use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for a client newly-diagnosed with asthma. The client asks, "how will I know the canister is empty?" What is the best response by the nurse?

A
"Drop the canister in water to observe if it floats."
B
"Count the number of doses as the inhaler is used." Correct Answer (Blank)
C
"Contact your pharmacy to find out when to obtain a refill."
D
"Shake the canister and listen for any fluid movement."

Answer 1

The most reliable way for a client to know when their metered-dose inhaler canister is empty is by counting the number of doses as the inhaler is used.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to the question, "how will I know the canister is empty?", the best response the nurse can give is B"Count the number of doses as the inhaler is used."

This is the most reliable method because most metered-dose inhalers come with a counter that indicates how many doses are remaining. Dropping the canister in water or listening for fluid movement isn't a reliable method, and contacting the pharmacy doesn't ensure you know when the canister is actually empty.