A patient has just received a prescription for ...

[Sufayan.ah]

A patient has just received a prescription for fluticasone/salmeterol Advair Diskus. What will the nurse include as part of the teaching for this patient about the use of this device?
 
  a. You do not need good hand-lung coor-dination to use this device.
  b. You will begin to inhale before activating the device.
  c. You will need to use a spacer to help control the medication.
  d. You will take 2 inhalations twice daily.

Question 2

A patient with persistent, frequent asthma exacerbations asks a nurse about a long-acting beta2-agonist medication. What will the nurse tell this patient?
 
  a. LABAs are safer than short-acting beta2 agonists.
  b. LABAs can be used on an as-needed basis to treat symptoms.
  c. LABAs reduce the risk of asthma-related deaths.
  d. LABAs should be combined with an in-haled glucocorticoid.

[SamMuagrove]

Answer to Question 1

A
The Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler and is activated by inhalation; therefore, hand-lung coordination is not required. There is no need for a spacer. Patients who use the Diskus take 1 inhalation twice daily.

Answer to Question 2

D
LABAs can increase the risk of asthma-related deaths when used improperly; this risk is mini-mized when LABAs are combined with an inhaled glucocorticoid. LABAs are not safer than SABAs, and they are not used PRN. LABAs increase the risk of asthma-related deaths.