How To Use Inhalers

Question 1

What are the key points to using an aerochamber spacer? (3)

Answer 1

1. Take a slow, deep breath in (if the patient hears a whistling sound they are breathing in too quickly)
2. Hold the first breath for ten seconds then breathe out through the mouthpiece.
3. Take another, slow deep breath through the aerochamber, this time without pressing the canister in the inhaler.

Question 2

What are the key points to using a turbohaler? (3)

Answer 2

1. Hold the turbohaler upright and twist the grip at the bottom first one way then back until you hear a click.
2. Breath out gently, put the mouthpiece between the lips and breathe in as deeply as possible (it is usual to NOT taste the dose).
3. Hold breath for ten seconds.

Question 3

What are the key points to using a Handihaler? (4)

Answer 3

1. Remove a capsule from the blister strip and place it into the chamber and close the mouthpiece firmly until it clicks, leave the grey cover open.
2. Hold the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing upwards and completely push the green button once to pierce the capsule.
3. Breath out gently, place the mouthpiece between your lips and breathe in as deeply as possible. The capsule should be heard to rattle.
4. hold breath 10 seconds, remove and dispose of capsule.

Question 4

What are the key points to using a Respimat inhaler? (3)

Answer 4

1. Need to prime the cartridge the first time it is inserted into the device by holding the inhaler upright and turning the base in the direction of the printed red arrow until it clicks.
2. Place inhaler in mouth pointed towards back of throat.
3. Breathe in slowly and press the dose release buton whilst continuing to breath in slowly for as long as you can. (hold breath 10 seconds etc repeat as needed or directed)

Question 5

What are the key points to using an autohaler? (2)

Answer 5

1, Dont cover airholes at the bottom.

2. Breathe in as deeply as possible, do not stop if the inhaler clicks.

Question 6

What are the key points to using an Easibreathe inhaler?

Answer 6

1. Hold the inhaler upright, ensuring that the airholes at the top are not covered.

Question 7

What are the key points to using a DPI? (3)

Answer 7

Not with a spacer.

Forceful inhalation.

Ventolin accuhaler is licensed for use 4+

Question 8

For DPIs, inspiratory flow rate values for clinical efficacy are between what?

Answer 8

30-90L/min

pMDIs: 20-60L/min

Question 9

For pMDIs, inspiratory flow rate values for clinical efficacy are generally what?

Answer 9

20-60Lmin preferred,

For DPIs: 30-90L/min

Question 10

Standard MDIs require the patient to do what?

Answer 10

Standard MDIs require the patient to actuate the canister in order to release the drug: this requires coordination by the patient and therefore may be impractical for some patients.

Question 11

Why should standard MDIs be used by breathing in slowly and deeply?

Answer 11

To prevent deposition of particles in the upper airways rather than the lower airways.

Question 12

Why do patients have to breath in forcefully with DPIs?

Answer 12

DPIs have a higher internal resistance than MDIs and so patients have to inhale forcefully and deeply to overcome this resistance and ensure drug particles are deposited in the lungs.