What best describes an inhaler?

• A. A pocket-sized, portable device designed to allow the patient to self-administer medication directly into the respiratory passageways.
• B. A large hospital device that permanently attaches to a ventilator.
• C. A device used to measure lung capacity without delivering medication.
• D. A nebulizer that converts liquid medicine into mist for inhalation.

Answer: (A)

An inhaler is a small, hand-held device that lets a patient self-administer medication directly into the lungs. It delivers a measured dose of drug as a spray or powder when the person inhales, making it ideal for quick, targeted relief or control of respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. The other descriptions describe a large hospital ventilator attachment, a device for measuring lung capacity, or a nebulizer that turns liquid medicine into mist; none of these are portable, self-administered inhalers.