Information-giving: Inhalers and nebulisers

Question 1

How would you explain to a patient what an inhaler is?

Answer 1

A handheld device that delivers medication directly into the lungs

Question 2

How would you explain to a patient what a nebuliser is?

Answer 2

A device that converts a medication into a mist, so that it can be inhaled through a mouthpiece or nose piece directly into the lungs

Question 3

How would you explain to a patient how to set up a nebuliser?

Answer 3

1. Wash hands and make sure that all of the nebuliser equipment is clean
2. Open the vial of medication by snapping the lid off, and pour medication into nebuliser cup
3. Screw on nebuliser lid, then attach mouthpiece/mask/nosepiece
4. Attach hose to nebuliser cup and compressor device
5. Plug in compressor device to power supply
6. Make sure nebuliser cup and lid is securely sealed
7. Turn on compressor device and breathe in and out slowly until all medication is gone
8. Turn off compressor device, clean nebuliser kit

Question 4

How do you explain to a patient how to use a mouthpiece with a nebuliser?

Answer 4

Place mouthpiece in mouth and over tongue

Keep lips sealed tightly around mouthpiece so that all of the medication goes into the lungs

Try to focus on mostly breathing in and out of mouth instead of nose

Question 5

How do you explain to a patient how to use a mask with a nebuliser?

Answer 5

Place on mouth over nose and mouth

Question 6

What are the 3 types of inhalers?

Answer 6

Pressurised meter dose inhaler (pMDI)

Breath activated MDI or dry powder inhaler (DPI)

Inhaler with spacer device

Question 7

How would you explain to a patient what a pressurised meter dose inhaler is?

Answer 7

Inhaler that holds medication in pressurised cannister, and when you press on the cannister the medication will be pushed by a propellant into your lungs

1 press on the cannister will deliver 1 dose

Question 8

How would you explain to a patient what a dry powder inhaler is?

Answer 8

Inhaler that stores medication as powder inside a container that is activated when you breathe in at mouthpiece

Doesn’t use propellant to push out the medication, instead you breathe in hard and fast which triggers dose and pulls the medication out

Question 9

How would you explain to a patient what a spacer is?

Answer 9

Device used with a pMDI that creates space between the inhaler and the mouth, so that the aerosol droplets of medication can become smaller and breathed in more easily and deeper into lungs

Question 10

How do you explain to a patient how to use a pressurised meter dose inhaler?

Answer 10

1. Remove cap from the mouthpiece and gently shake the inhaler
2. Breathe out all the way
3. Put mouth on inhaler by placing mouthpiece over tongue and sealing lips around edge
4. Breathe in and press down on cannister
5. Remove inhaler from mouth, keep mouth closed and hold breath for 10 seconds
6. Breathe out slowly

Question 11

How do you explain to a patient how to use a dry powder inhaler?

Answer 11

1. Open inhaler by sliding cover open
2. Check that there’s nothing in the mouthpiece and check dose counter to see that there are enough
3. Hold inhaler horizontally and make sure to not tip over as powder can fall out
4. Push lever back until it clicks to load mouthpiece with medication

5.Breathe out all the way

6. Put mouth on inhaler by placing mouthpiece over tongue and sealing lips around edge
7. Breathe in quickly and deeply until lungs feel full
8. Remove inhaler from mouth, keep mouth closed and hold breath for 10 seconds
9. Breathe out slowly
10. Slide cover closed to reset inhaler, repeat process if more doses are needed