In managing a patient’s respiratory distress, what should you ensure before assisting with an inhaler?

Ensuring that the patient is sitting upright is crucial when assisting with an inhaler because this position helps maximize airflow and lung expansion. When a patient is in an upright position, gravity aids in lung mechanics, allowing better access for inhaled medication to reach the lungs more effectively. This position can help reduce the work of breathing and facilitates easier inhalation, which is especially important in cases of respiratory distress, where every breath counts.

Being in a comfortable and upright position can also help calm the patient, reducing anxiety and allowing them to focus on taking the medication properly. Administering an inhaler while the patient is flat or in a less optimal position may lead to ineffective delivery of the medication and potentially exacerbate their condition.