What should a patient do after taking medication from a dry powder inhaler?

After using a dry powder inhaler, patients are typically advised to swish and spit out the medication. The reason for this recommendation is that the inhaled medication can settle in the mouth or throat, which may lead to irritation or infection over time. By swishing with water and then spitting it out, patients can help clear any residual medication that may cause these issues, while still ensuring that the intended effects of the inhaler are achieved through inhalation.

Rinsing the inhaler with water, drinking a glass of milk, or inhaling deeply a second time are not standard practices following the use of a dry powder inhaler. Rinsing the inhaler could potentially damage the device or cause it to malfunction, while drinking milk does not aid in the administration or absorption of the medication. Inhaling deeply again is unnecessary since the medication has already been delivered to the lungs.