What instruction should a nurse give a patient when administering a nasal medication?

When administering nasal medication, the correct instruction for the patient is to breathe in. This is important because inhaling during the administration of the medication allows the drug to reach deeper into the nasal passages and increases its effectiveness. The action of breathing in helps facilitate the absorption of the medication directly into the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity.

Breathing out, breathing normally, or holding the breath would not effectively facilitate the delivery and absorption of the medication. Breathing out may expel the medication before it reaches the intended area, while holding the breath could prevent the medication from being properly distributed within the nasal passages. Thus, instructing the patient to breathe in ensures that the medication is delivered effectively for optimal therapeutic outcomes.