A hospitalized adolescent client is diagnosed with asthma and an inhaler (albuterol) is prescribed. Which of the following is a teaching point the nurse should include in the discharge instructions?

Question

A) Do not shake the inhaler before administration.
B) Take a shallow breath and hold it before administration.
C) Inhale as slowly and deeply as possible after positioning the canister.
D) After inhaling, hold the breath for about 5 seconds and then slowly exhale.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
The nurse would teach the client to shake the inhaler well immediately before use to aerosolize the fine particles, take a deep breath and then exhale completely through the nose, position the inhaler to just in front of his or her mouth, push down on the canister, and inhale as slowly and deeply as possible through the mouth. Next the nurse would instruct the client to hold his or her breath for about 10 seconds and then to slowly exhale with pursed lips.