A nurse is educating a patient about the proper use of an inhaled corticosteroid. Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding of the teaching?

A. "I should rinse my mouth with water and swallow it after using the inhaler.": Swallowing the rinse water may still allow corticosteroid particles to enter the systemic circulation through the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of systemic effects and oral thrush. B. "I will rinse my mouth only if I feel irritation after using the inhaler.": Rinsing should be done routinely after each use, regardless of the presence of irritation. Skipping this step can increase the risk of developing oral candidiasis (thrush) due to residual corticosteroid in the mouth. C. "I will rinse my mouth with water and spit it out after using the inhaler.": Rinsing and spitting helps remove residual corticosteroid from the oropharynx, reducing the risk of local side effects like oral thrush and hoarseness. D. "There is no need to rinse my mouth after using an inhaled corticosteroid.": This indicates a lack of understanding. Failure to rinse the mouth increases the risk of fungal infections and other local adverse effects due to prolonged exposure to the medication.