A male client has asthma and his physician has prescribed beclomethasone (Vanceril) 3 puffs tid in addition to his other medications.
After taking his beclomethasone, the client should be instructed to:
A . Clean his inhaler with warm water and soak it in a 10% bleach solution
B . Drink a glass of water
C . Sit and rest
D . Use his bronchodilator inhaler
Answer: B
Explanation:
(A) Inhalers should be cleaned once a day. They should be taken apart, washed in warm water, and dried according to manufacturer’s instructions. Soaking in bleach is inappropriate.
(B) A common side effect of inhaled steroid preparations is oral candidal infection. This can be prevented by drinking a glass of water or gargling after using a steroid inhaler.
(C) There is nothing wrong with sitting and resting after using a steroid inhaler, but it is not necessary.
(D) If a person is using a steroid inhaler as well as a bronchodilator inhaler, the bronchodilator should always be used first. The reason for this is that the bronchodilator opens up the person’s airways so that when the steroid inhaler is used next, there will be better distribution of medication.