COPD: occupational and environmental - answerCOPD can develop with intense or
prolonged exposure to
-dust, vapor, irritants, or fumes
-high levels of air pollution
,-fumes from indoor heating or cooking with fossil fuels
COPD: heredity - answeralpha-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency
-genetic risk factor for COPD
-accounts for 3% of COPD
-AAT is an autosomal recessive disorder
COPD: pathophysiology - answerirreversible airflow limitations during forced exhalation
due to loss of elastic recoil
airflow obstruction due to mucus hypersecretion, mucosal edema, and bronchospasm
primary process = inflammation
-inhalation of noxious particles
-mediators released cause damage to lung tissue
-airways inflamed
-parenchyma destroyed
supporting structures of lungs are destroyed
-air goes in easily, but remains in the lungs
-bronchioles tend to collapse
-causes barrel-chest look
pulmonary vascular changes
-blood vessels thicken
-surface area for diffusion of O2 decreases
s/s of distress - answerfatigue, tripod, blue lips, agitated, increased respiratory rate
s/s of COPD - answer-develops slowly
-dx is considered with cough, sputum production, dyspnea, exposure to risk factors
-causes chest breathing: use of accessory and intercostal muscles; inefficient breathing
-may experience chest tightness with activity
-underweight with adequate caloric intake
-chronic fatigue
-prolonged expiratory phase, wheezes
-decreased breath sounds, tripod position
-pursed lip breathing
-barrel chest
-bluish-red color of skin: cyanosis/polycythemia
classification of COPD - answermild: >80%
, moderate: 50-80%
severe: 30-50%
very severe: <30%
based on forced expiratory volume
COPD exacerbations - answersignaled by change in usual:
-dyspnea, cough, sputum
associated with poorer outcomes
primary causes: bacterial and viral infections
signs of severity:
-use of accessory muscles
-central cyanosis
tx: short-acting bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, or supplemental oxygen
therapy
COPD: depression and anxiety - answerpts experience many losses
if pt becomes anxious bc of dyspnea, teach pursed lip breathing
chest x-ray; hx and physical examination
COPD assessment tool (CAT)
modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale
ABGs
typical findings for ABG in later stages of COPD - answerlow PaO2, high PaCO2
low pH, high bicarbonate level
collaborative care: COPD - answer-evaluate for environmental or occupational irritants
-determine ways to control or avoid
-influenza virus vaccine
-pneumococcal vaccine (pneumovax)
-exacerbations txed promptly
-smoking cessation
-drug therapy
drug therapy: COPD - answerbronchodilators: relax smooth muscle in the airway;
improve ventilation of the lungs; decrease dyspnea and increase FEV1; inhaled route is
preferred
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller julianah420. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $12.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.