Breathe Easy: Ace the NAECB Asthma Educator Test 2026 – Be the Breath of Fresh Air!

Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) are designed for effective delivery of medication to the lungs, and using them correctly is crucial for maximizing their therapeutic effects. The correct procedure involves several key steps, starting with shaking the inhaler to mix the medication properly, which ensures that each dose delivered contains the appropriate amount of medication.

After shaking, it is essential to exhale fully. This step removes any air from the lungs, creating more space for the inhaled medication and ensuring that it reaches deep into the lungs rather than being expelled immediately.

Inhaling deeply allows for the medication to travel further into the respiratory system. A slow and deep inhalation is recommended because it helps the medication deposit in the airways and lungs rather than just sitting in the throat. This combination of actions—shaking, exhaling fully, and inhaling deeply—is critical for ensuring the medication is effectively delivered and absorbed.

The other options either compromise the effectiveness of the inhaler or are not recommended practices. For instance, inhaling quickly while pressing the inhaler can lead to the medication not reaching the lungs adequately, while pressing the inhaler before exhaling does not allow for optimal medication delivery. Holding the breath for a sufficient amount of time after inhalation (usually about