NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamPharmacologyMedium
A 28-year-old female is experiencing severe shortness of breath and wheezing due to an acute asthma attack. She has a prescription for an albuterol metered-dose inhaler (MDI). You instruct her on how to use it. Which of the following instructions is most critical for ensuring effective delivery of the medication?
- AHold your breath for 5-10 seconds after inhaling.
- BShake the inhaler vigorously for at least 30 seconds.
- CExhale completely before activating the inhaler.
- DInhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds after inhaling.
Holding the breath for 5-10 seconds after inhalation allows the medication particles to settle deep within the lungs, maximizing absorption and therapeutic effect.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Shaking the inhaler is important to mix the medication, but 5-10 seconds is usually sufficient, not 30 seconds.
- C. Exhaling completely before activating is important to create lung space, but holding the breath afterward is more critical for deposition.
- D. While inhaling deeply is important, inhaling slowly is crucial to prevent the medication from impacting the back of the throat. Pressing the canister should coincide with the start of inhalation.
MDI Administration Technique
The correct steps and patient instructions for using a metered-dose inhaler to ensure optimal medication delivery to the lungs.
- Shake the inhaler before use.
- Exhale completely.
- Depress canister and inhale slowly and deeply.
- Hold breath for 5-10 seconds.
- Exhale slowly.
- Wait 1 minute between puffs if more than one is prescribed.
Memory trick: Shake, breathe out, press and breathe in, then hold it tight, let relief begin!