When educating a patient prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler, what key instruction should be included?

The key instruction to include when educating a patient prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler is the importance of maintaining proper hygiene to help prevent fungal infections, such as oral thrush, which can occur with the use of inhaled corticosteroids. Specifically, washing out the mask or mouthpiece after each use helps to minimize the risk of yeast overgrowth in the mouth and throat.

Using a corticosteroid inhaler regularly and correctly is crucial for managing the underlying conditions like asthma or COPD effectively. Maintaining hygienic practices with the inhaler not only supports treatment efficacy but also reduces side effects related to the medication.

While proper inhalation technique is also essential (as suggested by another choice), the focus here is on hygiene to prevent complications associated with corticosteroid use. Regular cleaning of the device is often highlighted as a critical part of patient education when it comes to inhaled medications.