Which sequence correctly describes proper inhaler technique?

• A. Shake well, inhale, hold breath 5 seconds, wait 30 seconds between puffs.
• B. Shake well, blow out air in lungs, seal mouth around inhaler and inhale and spray, hold 10 sec, 1 min between puffs if same med, 5 min between meds, rinse mouth after use (to prevent thrush).
• C. Do not shake, inhale rapidly, swallow spray with no breath hold.
• D. Rinse mouth before use and then exhale slowly.

Answer: (B)

Coordinating actuation with inhalation is essential to get the medicine into the lungs and not just the throat. The correct sequence starts with shaking the inhaler to mix the dose, then exhaling fully to empty the lungs before taking a puff. Place the lips tightly around the mouthpiece, press the canister once and inhale slowly to draw the spray into the airways. After inhaling, hold your breath for about 10 seconds to give the medication time to deposit in the lungs, then exhale slowly.

If you need another puff of the same medication, wait about a minute before repeating. If you’re taking a different medication, wait longer—about five minutes—to prevent mixing doses. After finishing, rinse the mouth with water to reduce the risk of thrush, especially with inhaled corticosteroids.

Other sequences miss key elements or get the order wrong: skipping shaking, not coordinating actuation with a proper inhalation, exhaling or swallowing the spray, not holding the breath, or neglecting mouth rinsing. This approach aligns with how inhaled medicines are designed to work and helps ensure you receive the full dose.