What should be done to ensure effective medication delivery with a holding chamber?

To ensure effective medication delivery with a holding chamber, exhaling into the chamber before inhalation is the correct approach because it helps to clear out any stale air from the chamber and allows for a more effective inhalation of the medication. By starting with fresh, unoccupied space within the chamber, patients increase the likelihood that the medication will reach deep into the lungs when they inhale.

Inhalation technique is crucial for medication effectiveness. When a patient properly prepares the chamber this way, it maximizes the amount of medicine that can be absorbed into the respiratory system, optimizing treatment outcomes for conditions such as asthma. Additionally, this practice reduces the potential for the medication to remain stagnant in the chamber, ensuring that the full dose is available for inhalation.

Other suggested practices, such as waiting for a specific period between medication puffs or inhaling quickly after actuating the inhaler, do not directly pertain to the initial preparation of the chamber for optimal delivery. Similarly, holding the chamber horizontally may not necessarily contribute to the most effective medication delivery since the orientation may not impact aerosol dispersion as significantly as ensuring the chamber is clear for inhalation.