Which step is essential when administering a nasal spray?

• A. Clear nasal passages, prime if needed, insert nozzle correctly, spray while patient breathes gently.
• B. Inhale through mouth, tilt head back, spray quickly, avoid patient cooperation.
• C. Share the spray between residents.
• D. Leave nostrils blocked, spray into the throat.

Answer: (A)

Key idea: delivering nasal spray effectively relies on correct technique that deposits medicine on the nasal mucosa with minimal irritation.

Clear the nasal passages so the spray has an open path to the mucosa. If the device needs priming, do so to ensure the dose delivered is accurate. Insert the nozzle into the nostril and aim toward the outer wall of the nose, not straight up toward the septum. Have the patient breathe gently through the nose as you press the spray once. This gentle inhalation helps the medication coat the nasal lining and reduces the chance of dripping into the throat or causing irritation. Afterward, avoid sharing the spray, and don’t spray with the nostrils blocked or into the throat, and don’t instruct the patient to inhale through the mouth or tilt the head back, since those steps can decrease effectiveness or cause discomfort.