Courses · Complex Care
Assisting a Participant with Inhaler Devices
Use puffers, spacers and dry powder inhalers correctly, tell a reliever from a preventer, and follow asthma first aid when breathing becomes an emergency.
About this certificate
This is a non-accredited module and the Certificate of Completion is not a Statement of Attainment. It supports but does not replace your employer's medication policy and competency sign-off, and it is not a substitute for accredited first aid training. Asthma First Aid as described here follows Asthma Australia and ANZCOR guidance; follow the participant's own written asthma action plan wherever one exists.
About this module
Most people use their inhaler incorrectly, which means most people get far less medication than prescribed. This module covers the difference between relievers, preventers and combination inhalers, correct technique for metered dose inhalers with and without a spacer, dry powder devices such as Turbuhaler, Accuhaler and Ellipta, nebulisers, why a spacer is better than a puffer alone, mouth care after steroid inhalers, device care, and Asthma First Aid including when to call an ambulance.
Who it is for
Support workers, SIL and group home staff and day program staff assisting participants with asthma, COPD or other respiratory conditions.
What you will be able to do
- Distinguish reliever, preventer and combination inhalers and explain the difference
- Demonstrate correct technique with a metered dose inhaler and spacer
- Use common dry powder devices correctly
- Provide mouth care and device care after use
- Deliver Asthma First Aid and recognise when to call an ambulance
Aligned to
- NDIS Practice Standards — Management of Medication
- Asthma Australia — Asthma First Aid and Inhaler Technique guidance
- National Asthma Council Australia — Australian Asthma Handbook
- ANZCOR Guidelines
Lesson plan
What the module covers
| # | Lesson | What it covers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Relievers, preventers and why the difference matters | What is in the device, and what happens when the wrong one is relied on. | 15m |
| 02 | Getting the medication into the lungs | Spacers, puffers, dry powder devices and the errors that waste most of the dose. | 18m |
| 03 | Asthma First Aid and escalation | The four steps, and the signs that mean call 000 now. | 15m |
| ✓ | Final assessment | 12 scenario-based questions · pass mark 85% · unlimited attempts | ~15m |
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