What does Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refer to?
A group of diseases that cause obstruction of airflow and breathing-related problems, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
What are the greatest risk factors for COPD?
Older age and cigarette smoking.
What is the must-know diagnosis for COPD?
FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.70 (70%).
What are the hallmark conditions of COPD?
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
What is the health maintenance recommendation for COPD?
Smoking cessation and annual flu vaccination.
What is known as the ‘Blue Bloaters’ in COPD?
Patients with chronic bronchitis who are cyanotic and overweight, presenting with rhonchi and wheezing.
What is known as the ‘Pink Puffers’ in COPD?
Patients with emphysema who are older and thin, presenting with dyspnea.
What are the exam findings associated with air-trapping in COPD?
Hyperresonance, decreased tactile fremitus, and egophony.
What are classic signs and symptoms of COPD?
Increased A-P diameter- barrel chest
chronic hypoxemia-finger clubbing
progressive dyspnea- productive cough
What are the classic signs and symptoms of COPD exacerbations?
Increased dyspnea and sputum production.
What is the first-line antibiotic regimen for COPD exacerbations?
Azithromycin.
What should raise concern for lung cancer in COPD patients?
Unintentional weight loss due to increased calorie burning from the work of breathing.
What may COPD patients need to do regarding caloric intake?
Increase caloric intake to balance out current nutrition deficit.
What is used to confirm diagnosis in COPD?
Spirometry (<0.7 FEVI/FVC)
Assess airflow limitation.
What are the3 main assessments for COPD?
Confirm dx with spirometry
Assessment of airflow limitation assessment of symptoms, exacerbation risk.
What does the MMRC scale measure?
Severity of dyspnea in COPD (0-4 severity scale).
> 2 indicates poor health.
What are the GOLD classifications for COPD?
GOLD 1: >80%, GOLD 2: 50-79%, GOLD 3: 30-49%, GOLD 4: <30%.
What does the CAT score measure?
Impact of COPD on health (8 questions, 0-5 severity scale).
> 10 indicates poor health.
What is the significance of exacerbation history in COPD?
Number of exacerbations or hospital admissions this year indicates risk.
What are the COPD medication classes?
- Beta agonists
- Muscarinic antagonists
- Corticosteroids.
What suffixes are associated with beta agonists?
‘-TEROL’
SABA: Short-acting (e.g., Albuterol), LABA: Long-acting (e.g., Formoterol).
What suffixes are associated with muscarinic antagonists?
‘-IUM’
SAMA: Short-acting (e.g., Ipratropium), LAMA: Long-acting (e.g., Tiotropium).
What suffixes are associated with corticosteroids?
‘-IDE’ or ‘-SONE’
ICS: Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., Beclomethasone).
What are the cautions for SAMA/LAMA medications?
They have anticholinergic properties; caution with BPH, peptic ulcer disease, & glaucoma.
