A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is about to start using an albuterol metered-dose inhaler. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
Instruct the client to close their mouth tightly around the mouthpiece of the inhaler. This ensures that the medication is delivered directly into the lungs and minimizes the amount of medication escaping into the surrounding environment. The correct technique for using a metered-dose inhaler does not involve tilting the head forward. Instead, the client should keep their head in a neutral position while using the inhaler. After inhaling the medication from the inhaler, it is recommended to hold the breath for about 10 seconds before exhaling. This allows the medication to be fully deposited in the lungs and absorbed effectively. The proper technique for using an albuterol metered-dose inhaler involves taking a slow and deep breath. The client should depress the canister once at the beginning of inhalation and continue to inhale slowly and deeply to ensure adequate medication delivery. It is important for the nurse to demonstrate and observe the client's technique while using the inhaler to ensure proper administration.