Improper Inhaler Technique

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that impacts a person’s and their family’s quality of life. In people with asthma, their airway becomes constricted with swelling and excessive mucous. This constriction or narrowing of the airway makes it difficult for the person with asthma to breath (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009). If asthma is left uncontrolled, it leads to further wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tiredness, and stress. (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009).

The management of respiratory problem because adult learners affected will have to go through behavioral and lifestyle changes which are very significant to learn as individuals ( Morris, Marzano, Dandy and O’Brien, 2012).

An MDI is an aerosol medication, taken orally and inhaled into the lungs (AAAI, 2015). A metered dose inhaler on a medical stand point is a bronchodilator and corticosteroid that aides in the breathing process when bronchiole tubes become constricted (AAAI, 2015). Bronchiole tube constriction is the reason for the difficulty breathing, and the main symptom of asthma (AAAI, 2015). An MDI dilates the bronchioles (AAAI, 2015). 73 patients were analyzed, and 16 of them were dubbed as having ‘inadequate health literacy’ (Bilderback et al., 2005). 10 questions were answered in true or false format to determine these results and 22% didn’t know how to properly administer their medication. These patients had no knowledge of when they should or shouldn’t take their medicine, when and how they should treat an asthma attack, and lastly how much time will persist before symptoms subside and how promptly they should be treated (Bilderback et al., 2005). Out of those 16 patients, 13 of them were hospitalized in the last 12 months, 14 of them had to visit the ER in the last 12 months, and 10 of them are said to have near-fatal asthma (Bilderback et al., 2005). On a satisfactory note, 11 of those 16 were removed from the list of those with inadequate literacy after one educational session

The nursing role in pulmonary rehabilitation includes one on one sessions with patients to cover more in-depth education of the disease process including actual anatomy and physiology of the pulmonary system. After that has been covered then the nurses can focus on causes of COPD, symptoms of the disease and management of them, diet, pulmonary exercise, medications for COPD and compliance issues, and most importantly smoking cessation. The nurses will likely require the patient to give return demonstrations of the medication use and pulmonary exercises such as pursed lip breathing (Mohammadi, Jowkar, Khankeh & Tafti, 2013).

When an asthmatic takes an inhaler “Albuterol sulfate”, the medication works by reducing the inflammation in the airway paths “bronchi and bronchioles” of the lungs, allowing the patient to breath without constriction or symptoms of asthma.

Medications that are breathed in (inhaled) can be a good idea if they are to have an effect directly in the lungs. Many asthma medications are available as sprays that are inhaled, for example. Because the lungs

Respiratory therapists are specialized healthcare practitioners that care for patients who have trouble breathing due to a multitude of reasons such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They practice under and aid physicians in assessing patients, diagnostic evaluations, treatment, prevention, education and general pulmonary care. Respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all diagnoses and treatments. Respiratory Therapists discuss and review patients with physicians and other healthcare professional to assist in developing and/or modifying a patients’ care

There are many different ways to treat and manage asthma symptoms. Usually steroids are used to take care of asthma but there are some other treatments too. Bronchodilators are one of those treatments. There are many kinds of bronchodilators and work by opening the airway. A few different bronchodilators are Short-term B2 agonists and Long-term B2 agonists. Short term bronchodilators are what rescue inhalers primarily are. These “provide quick, temporary relief from asthma symptoms or flare-ups” says Gstatic.com Long-term B2 agonists are preventatives to try and not let symptoms arrive in the first place. Steroids and steroidal inhalers are some more short term symptom managers. They work by stimulating hormones in your body to reduce inflammation

The MDI may be placed in the mouth with the lips sealed around it, placed 1 to 2 inches away from the opened mouth, or attached to a spacer or holding chamber with the end of the device placed in the mouth and the lips sealed around it.

The effect of asthma can range from mild, irregular symptoms causing minor problems for an individual to severe and sudden asthma attacks. The extent of what causes asthma is not well known or fully understood but some common triggers include, cold temperatures, dust mites, cockroaches, pollen, sickness, mould and animal hair. When triggered, the airways in the lungs become inflamed and constricted causing shortness of breath, chest pain and wheezing [R]. Currently, there is no cure for asthma however symptoms can be managed with medication and improved living standards [R]. Asthma symptoms are commonly controlled with the use of inhalers, either preventers (taken to desensitizes airways to triggers) or relievers (provides instant relief by relaxing the muscles) [16].

Millions of individuals suffer and die from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) each year in our nation. Currently, there is no cure for COPD; therefore, the most beneficial goal for these patients is to provide enhanced quality of life that includes limited admissions to the hospital setting and decreased exacerbations. Management of this disease process through proper patient education and multidisciplinary collaboration improves a COPD patient’s ability to maintain a healthier state of life as well as decrease their chance of a costly hospital readmission (Chamberlain, Lau, Siracuse, 2017).

Breathing is a vital process for every human. Normal breathing is practically effortless for most people, but those with asthma face a great challenge. During an asthma attack, breathing is hampered, making it difficult or even impossible for air to flow through the lungs. Asthma is an increasingly common problem, and has become the most common chronic childhood disease. At least 17 million Americans suffer from it(1), and although it can be fatal, it is usually not that severe(4). There is no cure for asthma, but with proper care, it can usually be controlled.

The feeling of a lead brick on your chest, desperately needing air but unable to draw a breath and the feeling of drowning in the very substance you need to survive. Shaking hands squeeze a canister and suddenly there is a rush of medication, an odd taste and then the brick gets lighter and lighter as gradually more oxygen comes in and once again air is flowing in and out properly. For an individual with asthma, an inhaler feels like the most amazing invention ever to grace the human mind or hands. Without the medicine stored in the tiny canister, life as is known by the average non-asthmatic would be but a dream for myself and around 25.7 million other people (Akinbami and Johnson, 2012). The idea of inhaling medicine to cure ailments started

An education program is essential if a patient or caregiver is going to be successful in managing asthma symptoms. A one on one patient education program should be developed. First, the educations should focus on the basic facts about asthma which includes; defining well controlled asthma, purpose of medications, and appropriate use of inhaler devices.

Breathing techniques such as inhaling through the nose and breathing out from the mouth slowly can be helpful for a patient to be aware of. Last, the patient should always have the physician’s information if asthma attacks become more frequent or they believe their inhaler to not be helping.