Inhalation Medication Administration
Key Points
- Inhalation route delivers medication directly to the respiratory tract for rapid local effect.
- Correct inhaler technique requires coordinated actuation with slow deep inhalation and a breath hold.
- Nebulizer therapy continues until chamber medication is fully nebulized, often about 5 to 10 minutes.
Equipment
- Ordered inhalation medication
- Inhalation device (metered-dose inhaler and/or nebulizer)
- Spacer device when indicated
- MAR and documentation access
Procedure Steps
- Verify patient identity, medication, dose, and inhalation route order.
- Perform hand hygiene and prepare all required supplies.
- For MDI use, shake inhaler and remove cap.
- Instruct patient to exhale fully before medication actuation.
- Place mouthpiece between lips with a tight seal.
- Instruct patient to inhale slowly and deeply while pressing inhaler to release dose.
- Instruct patient to hold breath for about 10 seconds, then exhale slowly.
- If multiple doses are ordered, wait prescribed interval between doses.
- For nebulizer use, assemble device and add prescribed medication to chamber.
- Position patient upright or comfortably seated and apply mouthpiece or mask.
- Run nebulizer until medication is gone, typically 5 to 10 minutes.
- Clean and disinfect nebulizer per manufacturer guidance after use.
- Document medication, route/device, dose timing, and patient response.
Common Errors
- Poor inhaler timing between actuation and inhalation → reduced lung deposition.
- No breath-hold after inhalation → reduced medication delivery efficiency.
- Skipping dose interval timing for repeated puffs → inconsistent therapeutic response.
- Inadequate nebulizer cleaning → contamination and device-performance risk.
Related
- nasal-medication-administration - Distinguishes intranasal upper-airway delivery from lower-airway inhalation therapy.
- noninvasive-positive-pressure-ventilation - Respiratory support context where inhaled therapies may be coordinated with breathing assistance.