nasal sprays confound me

[brownbook]

I have a hard time telling patients how to use OTC nasal sprays. Occasionally in out patient surgery we have patients use a few "sniffs" prior to surgery.

If the patient is sitting up and the bottle tip pointing up into the nostril they seem to get nothing but air. If their head is tilted back, looking at the ceiling, and bottle tip is pointing horizontal or almost down, so much spray comes out they are gagging and spitting!

HELP!!!!

[No Stars In My Eyes]

The problem I see all the time is that they don't sniff in at the same time as they squeeze the spray bottle. I say " Count to three, and ON 3, squeeze the bottle and sniff AT THE SAME TIME." But most people still go : 1-2-3-spray-wait- and THEN sniff. I don't know if it's a problem of coordination or rhythm or what! Secretly, it drives me a little buggy, but I had to give up the frustration and think, "Well, they're doing the best they can", and HOPE they get some benefit from the spray anyway.

[brownbook]

Thanks, you know what I think I will do? Is practice on myself. Buy an OTC nasal spray and see how it goes. I've never had to use one!!! But your idea makes sense.