Emphysema
irreversible destruction of the alveolar walls causing enlargement of the distal air spaces, collapse of the small airways, air trapping, and hyperinflation
Chronic bronchitis
productive cough for at least 3 months per year for at least 2 years
COPD patient assesment
COPD diagnostic testing
COPD stage 1 care: mild
FEV1/FVC <70%
FEV1 >80% predicted
COPD stage 2 care: moderate
FEV1/FVC <70%
FEV1= 50-79% predicted
SOB on exertion
COPD stage 3 care: severe
FEV1/FVC <70%
FEV1=30-49%
SOB on exertion
Frequent exacerbations
COPD stage 4 care: very severe
FEV1/FVC <70%
FEV1 <30%
FEV1 <50% predicted + chronic respiratory failure
COPD emergency assessment
COPD emergency treatments
COPD BIPAP
COPD ventilator
Asthma patient assessment
Asthma diagnostic testing
Asthma green zone: level 1 treatment
Peak flow= 80-100%
- no symptoms
- able to perform activites
- no coughing, wheezing, chest tightness
Asthma yellow zone: level 2 care
Peak flow= 50-80%
- increased need for inhaled quixk relief
- increased asthma symptoms at night
- awakening at night with symptoms
Asthma red zone: level 3 care
Peak flow <50%
- no improvement after increasing level 2 (yellow) treatment
Bronchiectasis patient assessment
Bronchiectasis diagnostic tests
*best confirmed via high-resolution CT scan)
1. CXR –> hyperlucent lung fields, depressed or flat diaphragms, enlarged heart
Bronchiectasis treatment
Cystic Fibrosis patient assessment
Cystic Fibrosis diagnostic testing
Cystic Fibrosis acute respiratory distress
Recent history:
- Development of fever
- Increase in productive cough with purulent sputum
- Increased fatigue, weakness, or poor appetite or weight loss
- New-onset or increased hemoptysis
Physical assessment:
- Labored breathing with intercostal retractions and use of accessory muscles
- Severe wheezing, rhonchi, or rhonchial fremitus
Diagnostic tests:
- New infiltrate on chest x-ray
- Labs: leukocytosis; low Na+, Cl–, and K+; hypochloremic metabolic acidosis
- ABG/pulse oximetry: moderate hypoxemia, SpO2 < 90% on room air
Cystic Fibrosis treatment
*If P. aeruginosa confirmed –> Tobramycin (TOBI) via breath-enhanced nebulizer, Polymyxin E (Colistin), or Aztreonam (Cayston) via mesh nebulizer (e.g., Altera)