Inhaler and nebuliser technique for people with a learning disability
Intended for healthcare professionals
CPD    

Inhaler and nebuliser technique for people with a learning disability

Samuel Clark Senior lecturer, Acute medical nursing, De Montfort University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leicester, England
Jillian Pawlyn Lecturer, Nursing, learning disabilities, School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, England

Healthcare professionals who support people who require an inhaler or nebuliser need to know how to use the devices, monitor and assess patients’ inhaler techniques effectively. Often, people have inadequate inhaler techniques, which can lead to poor management of their respiratory condition, increased signs and symptoms, reduced quality of life and increased use of primary/secondary care services and treatment costs. This article explains how to use inhalers and nebulisers appropriately and considers some of the challenges for children and adults with a learning disability. It also describes some devices and assessment tools, and explores assessment/review methods to help ensure people use their inhalers/nebulisers successfully.

Learning Disability Practice. 22, 1, 33-42. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2019.e1941

Correspondence

Jillian.pawlyn@open.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

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