What action is outside the nurse's scope of practice when advising a client using an inhaler for asthma?

When advising a client using an inhaler for asthma, suggesting that the client use 1 puff to reduce side effects is outside the nurse's scope of practice. This is because it constitutes providing specific medical advice or altering the prescribed treatment regimen without the authority to do so. Nurses can educate patients on how to use medication and equipment correctly but should not change the dosage or frequency prescribed by the healthcare provider without explicit instruction.

In contrast, validating the client’s understanding of medication use, teaching the client about how to use the inhaler, and encouraging the client to report side effects are all within the scope of nursing practice. These actions involve patient education and ensuring safety, which are essential roles of nurses.