S/S of COPD
"A change in the color of this substance, such as yellow or green, may signal a COPD exacerbation. What is it?"
What is Sputum?
"This short-acting beta-2 agonist is often used as a rescue inhaler for COPD, delivering 90 mcg per inhalation to relax bronchial smooth muscle. Common side effects include tremors, tachycardia, and throat irritation, and patients are advised to rinse their mouth after use."
What is a Albuterol?
This imaging test is used to identify structural lung changes and exclude other conditions, with findings such as hyperinflation, flattened diaphragm, and bullae in emphysema.
What is a Chest X-ray?
"This lifestyle change is crucial for COPD patients to reduce disease progression, improve lung function, and prevent further damage."
What is smoking cessation?
"This nursing diagnosis in COPD patients is indicated by symptoms such as decreased oxygen saturation, cyanosis, shortness of breath, increased respiratory rate, and arterial blood gas abnormalities. What is it?"
What is impaired gas exchange?
"In severe cases of COPD, this visible symptom can cause the lips or fingernails to appear bluish. What is it?"
What is Cyanosis?
This anticholinergic bronchodilator is used to manage COPD symptoms by blocking acetylcholine in the airways, leading to bronchodilation. It is typically administered as 2 inhalations (17 mcg each) 4 times daily, with side effects like dry mouth and dizziness.
What is Ipratropium Bromide?
"This test is used to identify bacterial pathogens during acute exacerbations of COPD, with expected results showing bacteria like Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae."
What is Sputum culture?
"This type of physical activity is recommended for COPD patients to strengthen respiratory muscles, improve endurance, and help manage shortness of breath."
What is regular exercise or pulmonary rehabilitation?
"This nursing diagnosis describes a common COPD issue characterized by a productive cough, wheezing, increased sputum, diminished breath sounds, and increased work of breathing. What is it?"
What is ineffective airway clearance?
"This persistent symptom in COPD often produces mucus and is worse in the morning. What is it?"
What is a Chronic Cough?
This mucolytic agent, administered via nebulization in 3–5 mL doses of 10% or 20% solution, works by breaking down mucus to reduce its viscosity. Side effects include nausea, bronchospasm, and an unpleasant sulfur-like odor.
What is Acetylcysteine?
"This blood test can show an elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit in COPD patients due to chronic hypoxemia, and an increased white blood cell count during exacerbations due to infection or inflammation. What is it?"
What is a CBC (Complete Blood Count)?
"This breathing technique, often taught to COPD patients, helps control shortness of breath by slowing down breathing and keeping airways open. What is it?"
What is pursed-lip breathing?
"This nursing diagnosis in COPD is characterized by shallow, rapid breathing, accessory muscle use, abnormal breathing rhythms, and abnormal arterial blood gases. What is it?"
What is ineffective breathing pattern?
"This complication of COPD involves a sudden worsening of symptoms like breathlessness and increased mucus production, often requiring immediate medical intervention."
What is Acute exacerbation?
This inhaled corticosteroid, dosed at 100–250 mcg twice daily, reduces airway inflammation and improves airflow. Patients are advised to rinse their mouth after use to prevent oral thrush.
What is a Fluticasone (Flovent)?
"This test measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in the blood and is used to assess respiratory function, especially during acute exacerbations of COPD, where you might see low PaO₂, high PaCO₂, and low pH.?
What is an ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) test?
"These vaccines are recommended for COPD patients to prevent respiratory infections, which can trigger exacerbations."
What are the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine?
"This nursing diagnosis for COPD is characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, and the inability to perform daily activities without assistance. What is it?"
What is Activity intolerance?
"Patients with COPD are at higher risk for these conditions, including colds, flu, and pneumonia, due to compromised lung defenses."
What is Respirtory infections?
"This phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor comes in a 500 mcg pill taken once daily. It reduces airway inflammation to improve airflow, particularly for patients with chronic bronchitis or severe COPD, though common side effects include weight loss, nausea, and mood changes."
What is Roflumilast (Daliresp)?
"This test is used to confirm the diagnosis of COPD and assess its severity, with expected results of a decreased FEV₁ (<80% predicted) and an FEV₁/FVC ratio of less than 70%."
What is Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)?
"This progressive lung disease is caused by long-term exposure to harmful substances like tobacco smoke and involves chronic bronchitis and emphysema, leading to airflow limitation and breathlessness. What is it?"
What is COPD?
"This nursing diagnosis involves a patient’s inability to sleep due to shortness of breath, coughing, or discomfort associated with COPD. What is it?"
What is disturbed sleep pattern?