Question

A 76 year-old client is prescribed an anticholinergic metered dose inhaler (MDI) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Why would the nurse suggest the client use a spacer?

To help control the intake of the medication

To increase client compliance to take the medication

To enhance the administration of the medication

To prevent further exacerbation of COPD

Answer 1

The nurse suggests using a spacer with an MDI for a COPD patient to enhance medication administration and improve drug delivery to the lungs, which is particularly beneficial for elderly patients with coordination or inspiratory flow challenges.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 76-year-old client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed an anticholinergic metered dose inhaler (MDI). The nurse would suggest the client use a spacer to enhance the administration of the medication.

Spacers are devices that attach to the MDI and help to increase the efficiency of drug delivery to the lungs by providing a temporary space where the medication can mix with the air.

This allows a fuller inhalation of the medication, improves coordination between actuation of the MDI and inhalation, and decreases the amount of medication that deposits in the mouth and throat, which may reduce side effects.

The use of a spacer is particularly beneficial for elderly patients who may have poor hand-breath coordination or reduced inspiratory flow, which are common challenges in the elderly population with COPD.