NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamAirway, Respiration & VentilationMedium
An EMT is assisting a patient with their prescribed metered-dose inhaler (MDI). After shaking the inhaler and instructing the patient to exhale deeply, what is the next step?
- AInstruct the patient to exhale slowly through pursed lips.
- BInstruct the patient to hold their breath for 10 seconds.
- CWait 1 minute before administering a second dose.
- DInstruct the patient to inhale deeply as they depress the canister.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Instruct the patient to inhale deeply as they depress the canister.
After shaking the MDI and instructing the patient to exhale completely, the next critical step is for the patient to begin a slow, deep inhalation while simultaneously depressing the canister to ensure the medication reaches the lower airways.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Exhaling slowly through pursed lips is a technique for COPD patients to prevent airway collapse, not a step in MDI administration.
- B. Holding the breath is done AFTER inhalation to allow for absorption, not during the inhalation itself.
- C. Waiting 1 minute is done AFTER the first dose, if a second dose is needed, not immediately after exhaling.
MDI Administration Steps
The proper sequence of actions for a patient to effectively use a metered-dose inhaler to deliver medication to the lungs.
- Requires coordination between inhalation and canister depression.
- Deep exhalation before inhalation maximizes lung capacity for medication.
- Breath-holding after inhalation promotes medication absorption.
Memory trick: Shake, breathe out, press and breathe in, hold, then repeat if needed.