How to take care of an inhaler

It is very possible that you may be placed with a client who uses an inhaler. Anyone with asthma, COPD, or any respiratory issue will have inhalers at hand. An inhaler delivers a metered dose of medication in the form of a spray which is breathed in through the mouth.

Although it may seem easy to use an inhaler, using it the correct way and then taking care of it, is a different situation which many people may not be familiar with.

In order for the inhaler to do its job well, it must be used correctly and maintained correctly. This will ensure that the medication gets right into the lungs and does its job properly.

Every new inhaler comes with instructions and this is well worth reading if they are still in the box. Many people throw them away as soon as the inhaler is in use.

How to use

Before use the inhaler should be shaken about 10 times to mix the medication with the propellant
Hold the inhaler upright
Have your client sit or stand upright
Place the mouthpiece into the mouth so that it fits slightly past the teeth and is above the tongue
Close the lips so that a seal is formed
As your client starts to breathe in, press the top down to release the spray
Have your client hold their breath for 5 to 10 seconds if possible
Breath out slowly through the mouth

If your client needs a second dose then you should wait about one minute before repeating the process.

Keeping the inhaler clean

A surefire way to tell if the inhaler needs cleaning is to look at the hole where the spray comes out. If there is any powder around the hole, the inhaler needs to be cleaned.

Remove the canister from the plastic casing
Only rinse the mouthpiece and the cap in warm water, do not immerse the metal cannister
If possible leave them to dry overnight
In the morning replace the canister inside the plastic container
Place the cap back on

Final thoughts

You should always store the inhaler at room temperature. If it gets too cold it may not work as intended.

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