What is the role of a spacer with an inhaler in the emergency on board?

• A. Increases the speed of inhalation
• B. Improves pharmaceutical delivery to the lungs by slowing and stabilizing aerosol
• C. Removes the need for an inhaler
• D. Only used for pediatric patients

Answer: (B)

A spacer attached to an inhaler helps slow and stabilize the aerosol cloud, which improves how much medicine reaches the lungs. In an onboard emergency, patients may be short of breath and have trouble coordinating a quick puff with a deep inhale. The spacer acts as a reservoir, giving the patient time to inhale the medication more slowly and deeply, so more of the drug gets past the mouth and throat and into the lungs. It also reduces variability in delivery when breathing is rapid or irregular, making the treatment more reliable in a cabin environment. It does not speed up inhalation, it does not eliminate the need for the inhaler, and spacers are used by both adults and children, not only by pediatric patients.