Several patients have been prescribed inhalation medications.The nurse is aware that a spacer will be beneficial for which patient?

A) A young child using a dry powder inhaler
B) An elderly patient who uses a metered-dose inhaler
C) A teenager who has just started using a nebulizer
D) A young child who needs medication several times per day

Because use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)requires coordination during the breathing cycle,many patients spray only the back of their throat and fail to receive a full dose.The inhaler must be depressed to expel medication just as the patient inhales.This ensures that the medication reaches the lower airways.Poor coordination can be solved by the use of spacer devices.Coordination is not necessary with dry powder inhalers or nebulizers.The use of a spacer is not dependent on the schedule of administration.