HAND-HELD INHALER ADMINISTRATION

 

Takes or verbalizes body substance isolation

Verbalizes the need for oxygen administration

Completes a full initial assessment

Verbalizes the need for use of the hand-held inhaler

Obtains the patient’s hand-held inhaler

Assures the inhaler is prescribed to the patient

Checks medication for the expiration date

Knows the indications, contraindications and side effects of the med.

Assures the level of consciousness of the patient

Ascertains how many times the patient has used the inhaler

Ensures the inhaler is at room temperature

Removes the oxygen from the patient

Instructs the patient to exhale completely

Instructs the patient to put lips around mouthpiece of the inhaler

Instructs the patient to depress the cartridge, while inhaling deeply

Instructs the patient to hold their breath for as long as comfortably possible

Replaces the oxygen onto the patient

Verbalizes the reassessment of vital signs and patient condition

Verbalizes the readministration if the prescription permits

Verbalizes the documentation of dose and time of each assist

 

CRITICAL CRITERIA

 

            Did not take or verbalize body substance isolation technique

            Did not initiate oxygen therapy prior to assisting with the hand-held inhaler

            Did not complete a full initial assessment including a full set of vital signs

            Did not know the indications, contraindications and side effects of the medication

            Did not check the medication for prescription, expiration date

            Did not reassess the vital signs and patient condition

            Did not use the correct medication for the patient

            Did not continue the on-going assessment

 

INDICATIONS

 

            Chief complaint = difficulty breathing

            Patient exhibits signs and symptoms of respiratory distress

            Patient has physician prescribed hand-held inhaler device

            Patient is alert enough to use inhaler

 

SIDE EFFECTS

 

            Increased pulse rate

            tremors

            nervousness and agitation

            headache