NORCET 6 Prelims -2024
Pediatric Nursing
Hard

Mother of a 3 year-old child ask the nurse about instruction the use of spacer .what will you tell the mother ?

Appeared in: NORCET 6 Prelims -2024

Explanation

  • The correct instruction is to wait between puffs to ensure the medication is delivered effectively.
  • According to nursing fundamentals textbooks, a pause of 20 to 30 seconds is recommended between puffs of the same medication.
  • This waiting period allows the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) canister to repressurize, ensuring the second puff contains the full, intended dose.
  • Failing to wait can result in a significantly reduced amount of medication being delivered in the second puff, compromising treatment efficacy.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Rinsing the mouth 30 minutes after using a steroid inhaler is too late to be effective in preventing oral candidiasis (thrush).
  • Option B: While breathing for 30 seconds might deliver the medication, the standard and more precise instruction for a young child is to take 5-10 normal (tidal) breaths per puff.
  • Option C: A 3-year-old child lacks the cognitive ability and coordination to perform a deep inhalation followed by a breath-hold.

Related Visual

step guide showing a parent administering medication to a young child using a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer and face mask. Key steps like shaking the inhaler, creating a ti...
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Pediatric Medication Administration: Inhaler and Spacer Technique to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
  • Correct inhaler and spacer technique is critical for effective asthma and respiratory disease management in children. Improper technique is a leading cause of treatment failure.
  • Patient and family education is a core nursing responsibility. Providing clear, simple, and accurate instructions ensures adherence and optimal clinical outcomes.
  • Nurses must demonstrate the technique and use teach-back methods to confirm the parent's understanding and ability to perform the procedure correctly.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key elements of the question: the patient's age (3 years old), the equipment (spacer), and the task (providing instructions).
  • Recall that a 3-year-old's ability to cooperate and follow instructions is limited. This immediately suggests that complex breathing maneuvers are incorrect.
  • Evaluate each option based on standard pediatric guidelines for inhaler use.
  • Option A (mouth rinse): Consider the purpose (preventing thrush) and timing. 30 minutes is too long.
  • Option C (deep breathing): Rule this out, as it's not feasible for a toddler. The correct technique is tidal (normal) breathing.
  • Option B (breathing for 30 sec): Compare this to the standard of 5-10 breaths. While one source mentions 30 seconds, it's less precise than counting breaths.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Pediatric Medication Administration: Inhaler and Spacer Technique
  • Stem keywords: 3 year-old child, mother, instruction, spacer
  • Lead-in keywords: what will you tell
  • Clinical cues: Patient age (3 years old) is a key factor, as it dictates the use of a spacer with a mask and a tidal breathing technique.
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q6T81YCQkX7lHNNht0kYED

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 193-195

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1419-1421

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 2 p. 35-37

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