Question 36

A spacer may be used with a metered-dose inhaler.

A spacer is an accessory device that can enhance the delivery of medication from a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) to the lungs, making it more effective for patients.

A) nasal spray.

A nasal spray is designed for direct application into the nasal passages and does not utilize a spacer. Therefore, this option is incorrect as spacers are specifically meant for inhalers that aerosolize medication for inhalation.

B) nebulizer solution.

Nebulizer solution is delivered using a nebulizer device and does not require a spacer. Spacers are not compatible with nebulizers, making this option incorrect in the context of the question.

C) dry powder inhaler.

A dry powder inhaler (DPI) operates differently than an MDI and does not use a spacer. DPIs rely on the patient's inhalation to disperse the powder, rendering this option incorrect.

D) metered-dose inhaler.

A spacer is specifically designed to be used with metered-dose inhalers to improve medication delivery to the lungs. It helps to slow down the aerosolized medication, allowing for better inhalation and reducing oropharyngeal deposition, making this option correct.

Conclusion

The use of a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler significantly enhances medication delivery efficiency, which is not applicable to the other options. Nasal sprays, nebulizer solutions, and dry powder inhalers operate under different mechanisms that do not involve spacers. Thus, D is the only correct answer.