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pMDI inhaler technique — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyPatient CounsellingpMDI inhaler techniqueGPhC CRA

A patient prescribed salbutamol inhaler says it is not helping. You observe that he presses the canister before starting to breathe in and inhales rapidly. He has no current severe breathlessness. What would you advise the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Demonstrate slow inhalation after actuation and consider a spacer if coordination is poor

A pressurised metered-dose inhaler requires coordination of actuation with slow deep inhalation. Poor technique can make treatment appear ineffective and should be corrected before assuming medicine failure. A spacer is useful when coordination is difficult. Nasal inhalation, swallowing the dose, or multiple actuations before inhalation reduce effective lung delivery.

Reference: NICE CKS Asthma; BNF