Evolve HESI Practice Exam

When should a client correctly use their inhaler to ensure proper medication delivery?

1. At the end of a slow exhale.

2. Right before holding their breath.

3. During inhalation.

4. After exhalation is complete.

The correct answer is: During inhalation.

Using the inhaler during inhalation is the correct approach to ensure optimal medication delivery to the lungs. This technique allows the aerosolized medication to be effectively pulled into the airways as the client breathes in. When a person inhales while using an inhaler, the flow of air helps to draw the medication deeper into the lungs where it can exert its therapeutic effect. Inhalation also helps to break up the medication into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for absorption. This is vital for medications used in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where reaching the lower airways can significantly improve outcomes. While other options may sound reasonable, they do not align with the best practice for using inhalers. For instance, exhaling too much or exhaling completely before usage can result in too little air flow to draw in the medication properly, while holding one's breath too soon may not maximize the medication's delivery before the airways begin to close again. Thus, coordinating the action of inhaling with the use of the inhaler is paramount for effective treatment.