West Coast EMT Block Two Practice Exam

Question: 1 / 400

After a patient takes a deep breath and uses a metered-dose inhaler, what should you instruct him to do?

Exhale forcefully for medication absorption.

Breathe room air to assess oxygen saturation.

Hold his breath for as long as comfortably possible.

Instructing the patient to hold their breath for as long as comfortably possible after using a metered-dose inhaler is important for maximizing the effectiveness of the medication. When a patient inhales the medication, holding their breath helps to keep the medicine in the lungs longer, allowing for better absorption into the respiratory system. This technique reduces the likelihood of the medication being exhaled too quickly and enhances its therapeutic effects, particularly for conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The practice of holding the breath allows the bronchodilator or other medication to reach the target areas in the lungs where it can have the most impact. This simple instruction can significantly enhance the outcome of the inhalation therapy, leading to more effective symptom relief for the patient.

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Reapply the oxygen mask and reassess immediately.

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