COPD

Question 1

alveoli

Answer 1

tiny air sacs @ the end of the bronchiole where co2 & o2 are exchanged, damage to the elastic fibers decreases the ability of the alveoli to expand & air becomes trapped

Question 2

long term inflammation results in

Answer 2

scarring, & subsequent dead tissue within the lungs

Question 3

copd is the name for a group of serious lung diseases such as

Answer 3

-chronic bronchitis
-emphysema
-some types of asthma

Question 4

develops over

Answer 4

10-40 years usually as a result of toxin exposure

Question 5

initial s/s

Answer 5

sob that leads to more progressive difficulty breathing & managing adls

Question 6

can you reverse the damage

Answer 6

no, you cannot reverse the damage however you can stop the progression!

Question 7

death from copd results from

Answer 7

respiratory arrest

Question 8

classified into 5 stages

Answer 8

0 through IV - 0 being no disease

Question 9

delay in dx or tx cause major complications such as

Answer 9

-cardiac problems related to remodeling of the heart tissue
-pulmonary hypertension
-acute exacerbations
-CHF
-aberrant arrhythmias requiring defibrillators

Question 10

risk factors

Answer 10

-female smokers nearly 13x more likely to die from COPD as women who have never smoked, men are 12x
-exposure to air pollution, 2nd hand smoke, & lupus
-increased age & decreased lvls of income & education
-shorter height
-living alone

Question 11

subjective nursing assessment

Answer 11

-frequent respiratory infections?
-smoker?
-fam hx
-dyspnea, sob, fatigue w activity
-difficulty sleeping
-chronic cough, may be productive
-wheezing

Question 12

objective nursing assessment

Answer 12

-lower extremity edema
-weight loss
-lung function impaired

Question 13

late stage/severe general physical appearance

Answer 13

-cyanosis
-lower extremity edema
-bloated abdomen
-weight loss
-confusion

Question 14

diag

Answer 14

-spirometry; primary diag tool
-clinical assessment & pt s/s
-pulmonary function testing
-chest xray
-ct
-blood work including cbc & aec
-pulse ox @ rest, during sleep, w exertion to eval hypoxemia & need for supplemental o2

Question 15

acute medical tx

Answer 15

-anticholenergics
-beta 2 agonist
-theophylline
-steroids
-o2
-mucolytics
-expectorants
-nebulizer tx/inhalers
-pulmonary edema

Question 16

ongoing medical tx

Answer 16

-nebulizer tx
-pursed lip breathing
-chest physiotherapy
-postural drainage
-either gain or lose weight
-o2 therapy to keep o2 sat 88%

Question 17

meds

Answer 17

-corticosteriods
-beta-adrenergic agonists
-anticholenergics
-antibiotics as indicated