22. Puff-puff pass
After three ER trips in as many days for asthma, I saw a patient for a follow-up. I had never met him before because he was from another nation. His lungs sound bad, but he insists he’s using the inhaler every 2-4 hours and isn’t getting any relief. This makes me suspicious because identical medications are used in the ER.
I request that he demonstrate how he employs it.
He holds it approximately a foot away from his mouth and performs two Binaca-style puffs before swallowing.
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I felt terrible because he had never been informed about his disease or drugs.
