Giving an inhaler through a spacer
NMC OSCE practice station
Clinical skills · 1 min to read · 8 min to perform
Check the prescription, briefly assess him, help him take the dose through the spacer and check his technique.
Vikram NairMy chest has gone tight and I'm wheezing. Can you help me with my inhaler?
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Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are a nurse on an acute medical ward. Vikram Nair, aged 41, has asthma and has become wheezy this afternoon. His doctor has prescribed salbutamol by metered dose inhaler through a spacer. The inhaler, spacer and medicines chart are in the patient folder. Check the prescription, briefly assess him, help him take the dose through the spacer and check his technique. Explain what you are doing, reassess him and complete the record.
What this station tests
- Check the inhaler label, expiry and dose counter as well as the prescription.
- Give one puff at a time through the spacer, with a pause between puffs.
- Reassess after the dose and say what you would do if there is no improvement.
- Tremor and a faster pulse are common side effects of salbutamol.
- Wash the spacer in detergent and let it air dry; do not wipe it.
Sources for the clinical content
- NICE NG245: Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management
- BTS, NICE and SIGN: Joint guideline on chronic asthma
- NHS: Salbutamol inhaler
- Asthma + Lung UK: Spacers
- NMC: The Code
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.