Dosage Forms>Device Use Counseling Practice Test

Mr. R is a 28-year-old with intermittent asthma who is starting a rescue inhaler. Prescription: Albuterol sulfate HFA 90 mcg/actuation; inhale 2 puffs every 4-6 hours as needed for wheezing or shortness of breath, with a spacer if needed. He has not used an inhaler in years and asks for step-by-step instructions. He denies daily controller therapy. He keeps his medications in the bathroom cabinet and often goes weeks between symptoms. He wants to know what to do before the first use and if there is a long gap between uses. He also wonders about breathing technique and storage. Which of the following counseling points is most important for this device?

A 28-year-old man with newly diagnosed persistent asthma is starting fluticasone HFA 110 mcg: inhale 2 puffs twice daily. He previously only used albuterol. He asks how to prepare the inhaler before first use, how to breathe in, and how to clean it. He keeps the inhaler at his desk and plans morning and evening dosing. He is worried about hoarseness and infections and wants to minimize side effects. The nurse demonstrated basic actuation, and the pharmacist is asked to reinforce the most critical counseling for his maintenance inhaled corticosteroid device. He has no spacer and does not smoke. He denies prior oral thrush but has frequent sore throats during the winter.