Patient was educated on how to use diskus inhaler as follows:
- A diskus dispenses dry inhaler powder, in contrast to the aerosol inhaler.
- Make sure the diskus and mouthpiece are clean before use every time. Use a dry cloth to wipe the diskus clean before use.
- Do not wet or wash the diskus and the mouthpiece. Always, maintain them dry.
- Hold the diskus in one hand and using the other hand, push the thumb grip of the diskus away from you to the far end, when you hear the click.
- This dispenses the powder inhaler into place and ready to be inhaled.
- Perform a normal quiet breathing in and then, breath out normally away the diskus.
- Bring the mouthpiece closer to your mouth and close the mouthpiece tightly, with the lips around it.
- Breath in slow and deep for one complete breath, for a count of 5 seconds.
- Withdraw the diskus from your mouth.
- Hold your breath for 5 – 10 seconds giving time for the powder medication to be deposited into the airways, for it to act and breath out slowly.
- If you are ordered to have two inhalations as your dose, wait for a minute before using it again.
- After completing your dose of inhalations, close the diskus, by drawing the thumb grip in the opposite direction, towards yourself, until you hear a click.
- Usually, the diskus inhalers come with a built-in counter, to help keep track of the doses used. The numbers on the diskus indicate the doses still left for use. When the number of doses left come down to 5, the numbers on the diskus start appearing in red, indicating the need for refill.
