Module 12: Inhalers

Question 1

What are rescue inhalers? Maintenance inhalers?

Answer 1

rescue - Short acting, provide immediate release of acute respiratory distress
Maintenance- Long acting, used on a daily schedule to prevent acute respiratory distress

Question 2

How do metered dose inhalers (MDI) work? Can you use a spacer?

Answer 2

• delivers a measured dose of medication with each push
• Either squeeze and breath inhalers or inhalers activated by patient’s breath
• Can be used with a spacer

Question 3

How do dry powder inhalers (PDI) work? Spacer needed?

Answer 3

Hold dry, powdered medication which creates an aerosol when the patient inhales

• patients do not need to coordinate puffs with inhalation
• spacer is not needed
• Medication may clump with humid climate

Question 4

What are the assessments required prior to using metered-dose or dry powdered inhaler‘s?

Answer 4

1. Assess respiratory pattern, auscultate the patient’s breath sounds
2. Assess the patient’s ability to hold, manipulate, and depress the canister; assess the strength of inhalation
3. Assess the patient’s readiness and ability to learn; assess the knowledge and understanding

Question 5

If using more than one type of inhaler, which one is used first?

Answer 5

Bronchodilator

Question 6

What placement of the inhaler is considered the best way to deliver the medication?

Answer 6

Patient positions the mouthpiece 2 to 4 cm away from the mouth

Question 7

How do you calculate how long the medication in a MDI or DPI will last?

Answer 7

Divide the capacity of the cannister by the number of doses the patient takes per day