A 75-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)is prescribed tiotropium (Spiriva),an inhaled drug that must be loaded into a Handihaler with each dose.The patient has all of the following health problems.For which problem does the nurse suggest to the prescriber that this drug may not be appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Handihaler is a dry powder inhaler that needs to be loaded by the patient and requires considerable manipulation.This action can be difficult or even impossible for patients with arthritis of the hands.This drug delivery choice is not appropriate for this patient and the nurse should ask the prescriber to consider an inhaler type that does not require loading of the drug.

A 75-Year-Old Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)is Prescribed