North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is an essential step in the administration of an MDI?

1. Exhale deeply before inhalation

2. Inhale while pressing down on the inhaler

3. Shake the inhaler before use

4. Hold the inhaler upside down

The correct answer is: Inhale while pressing down on the inhaler

The essential step in the administration of a Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) involves coordinating inhalation with the activation of the device. Inhaling while pressing down on the inhaler ensures that the medication is aerosolized effectively and delivered directly into the lungs. This synchronous action helps increase the amount of medication that reaches the airways, which is crucial for the efficacy of the inhaled medication. Other steps, while important for proper MDI use, do not hold the same priority. For example, shaking the inhaler before use is recommended to ensure the medication is properly mixed, and exhaling deeply before inhalation can help optimize the delivery of the medication. However, these steps do not directly impact the effectiveness of the medication delivery in the same way that the timing of inhalation during activation does. Additionally, holding the inhaler upside down would not facilitate proper medication delivery. The core focus should always be on the timing of inhaling with the act of releasing medication for optimal therapeutic effect.