Giving an inhaler through a spacer to a wheezy child
NMC OSCE practice station
Clinical skills · 1 min to read · 8 min to perform
Check the prescription, assess Oliver's breathing and give the prescribed inhaled medicine safely using the equipment provided.
Oliver BennettI don't like the mask.
Free · no sign-up · uses your one free station
Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are a children's nurse on a paediatric ward. Oliver Bennett, aged 4, has a cough and wheeze with a cold and has been prescribed a reliever inhaler. His father is at the bedside. Check the prescription, assess Oliver's breathing and give the prescribed inhaled medicine safely using the equipment provided. Explain to both Oliver and his father what you are doing, in words suited to each. Reassess his breathing afterwards and record the dose on the chart. Say aloud what you are doing and why.
What this station tests
- Check the prescription, allergies and last dose before every inhaled medicine.
- With a spacer, give one puff at a time and shake between puffs.
- Use a well-fitting mask with a good seal for young children; distraction and praise help.
- Assess breathing before and after to judge the response.
- Teach the carer and check their technique, and give clear advice about when to get urgent help.
Sources for the clinical content
- NICE NG245: Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management
- Asthma + Lung UK: Spacers
- NICE NG5: Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines
- NMC: The Code
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.