1. The correct answer is: False.
Different inhalers require different techniques. Follow the instructions exactly and talk to your doctor if you have any questions or problems.
2. The correct answer is: True.
Medicine that hits your throat or tongue isn’t getting to your lungs. This may be a sign that you’re breathing in at the wrong time, or aren’t holding the inhaler correctly. Try holding the inhaler one or two inches from your mouth. (With some inhalers, you may be able to put your lips directly on the mouthpiece.) Then start breathing in slowly while you release the medication. You may also want to consider using a spacer. If you are using a dry powder inhaler, inhaling the medicine more rapidly is the best technique.
3. The correct answer is: c. Ten seconds
This gives the medicine enough time to settle into your lungs.
4. The correct answer is: d. All of the above.
Spacers make inhalers easier to use — you don’t have to breathe in and release the medicine at the same exact moment. They also help deliver the medicine directly to the lungs. This is especially helpful for people taking corticosteroids, drugs that can cause unpleasant side effects if they settle in the mouth or throat.
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5. The correct answer is: b.
Doing this will leave a lot of medicine stuck to the inside of the spacer. Instead, you should fill the chamber with a single blast and inhale promptly.
6. The correct answer is: False.
Some inhalers are used as “relievers” and others are used as “controllers.” Albuterol is the primary “reliever,” while inhaled steroids are the primary “controllers.” The relievers are meant to be used only for acute symptoms. The controllers are necessary for cases in which the reliever inhalers are needed more than twice a week, and the controllers need to be used daily. People who rely on relievers on a daily basis are more at risk for acute hospitalization than those who rely on controllers for daily control of their asthma. Using relievers on a daily basis is usually a sign that the asthma is not well controlled and needs better management with your physician’s help.
How did you do? We hope this quiz helps you get the best use out of your inhaler. If you are experiencing any problems with your inhaler or having trouble getting asthma flare-ups under control, you should consult your doctor.
