A 65-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been prescribed a new inhaler. The medical assistant needs to educate the patient on using the device. As part of the instruction, what should the medical assistant emphasize immediately after the patient takes a long, deep inhalation of the medication?
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Continue to breathe in and out rapidly to facilitate deeper penetration of the medication into the lung tissue.
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Hold the breath for approximately 10 seconds or as long as comfortably possible to allow for better absorption of the medication.
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Exhale immediately to expel any residual medication from the airways and prevent potential side effects.
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Take a few rapid, shallow breaths to ensure the medication is distributed evenly throughout the lungs.
After a patient takes a long, deep inhalation of the medication from an inhaler, it is crucial that they hold their breath for about 10 seconds or as long as comfortably possible. This hold allows the medication to settle in the lungs and enhances absorption. Releasing the breath too soon could reduce the treatment's efficacy. Shallow breaths are not advised because they may not carry the medication deep enough into the lungs where it is needed, and exhaling the medication immediately wastes the dose.
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