A patient has been prescribed an aerosol inhaler without a spacer.In what order does the nurse teach the patient to perform these steps?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

First,the cap is removed before shaking the inhaler so that the drug is fully activated and no time is lost after shaking to remove the cap.The head is tilted back slightly and the patient breathes out fully.The mouth is opened and the mouthpiece placed 1 to 2 inches away.This gets the inhaler in the best position to ensure an adequate dose.(The mouthpiece is not placed in the mouth because many people reflexively hold their breath,and the drug goes out the nose instead of into the trachea and bronchi.)As the patient begins to breathe in deeply through the mouth,the patient presses down firmly on the canister of the inhaler to release one dose.This ensures that more drug reaches the airways.The patient continues to breathe in slowly and deeply (usually over 3 to 5 seconds)to move the drug lower in the airways.The breath should be held for at least 10 seconds to allow the drug to reach deep into the lungs,then breathed out slowly.This enhances exposure to the drug.Finally,at least once a day the canister should be removed and the plastic case and cap cleaned by thoroughly rinsing it in warm,running tap water.To keep the mouthpiece and cap clean,it should be done after,rather than before,using the drug."

A Patient Has Been Prescribed an Aerosol Inhaler Without a Spacer.In